AIG Newsletter 25 May 2026

NEWS

In this week’s edition: the Commission launches a review of EU copyright rules to address challenges posed by generative AI and ensure fair remuneration for creators. Member States push for an overhaul of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive to strengthen Europe’s media landscape. The Commission also consults on new guidance for classifying high‑risk AI systems under the AI Act, while the EU Court confirms that publishers can be granted rights to fair remuneration when platforms use their content. Finally, AIG joins a broad industry coalition in calling on the European Council to allow proper deliberations for Digital Omnibus negotiations, warning that rushing risks undermining its objectives.

EC LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON COPYRIGHT, AI AND INNOVATION

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to review EU copyright rules, particularly the 2019 Digital Single Market Directive, seeking stakeholder feedback on how they function in practice amid technological developments such as generative AI. The initiative addresses issues including creators’ rights, fair remuneration, protection against AI misuse and piracy, and access to content for research, with input gathered between 13 May and 25 June to inform a potential legislative proposal expected in early 2027.

EU MEMBER STATES URGE AVMSD REFORM

Several EU Member States have called for a revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) to reflect changes in the media landscape and ensure a level playing field between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms. Countries including Germany, France, Italy, Latvia and Spain emphasised the need to boost the visibility of trusted content, address disinformation, support the audiovisual sector and update advertising rules, with the Commission confirming it will propose a review this year focused on simplification, fairness, and modernisation while maintaining the Directive’s core objectives.

COMMISSION CONSULTS ON HIGH-RISK AI CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE

The European Commission has launched a consultation on draft guidelines to clarify how high‑risk AI systems are classified under the AI Act, with feedback open until 23 June. The guidance explains the two main routes to classification – systems linked to regulated products and those used in high‑risk areas such as biometrics, employment and law enforcement – while emphasising that classification depends on intended purpose. It also introduces a filter allowing certain low‑impact systems to be excluded, except where profiling of individuals is involved. 

CJEU AFFIRMS PUBLISHERS' RIGHTS TO FAIR PLATFORM REMUNERATION

The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that Member States may grant press publishers the right to fair remuneration when online platforms use their content, provided that any such right is conditional on the publishers’ authorisation. The Court confirmed that such national rules are compatible with EU law, as long as publishers remain free to refuse or waive payment, and clarified that platforms cannot be required to pay where they do not use press publications.

COALITION CALLS ON COUNCIL TO SLOW DOWN DIGITAL OMNIBUS

AIG joined a broad coalition of European media, marketing and technology organisations last week in writing to the European Council to urge greater care and deliberation in the ongoing Digital Omnibus negotiations. Whilst industry firmly supported the objective of simplifying Europe's complex and fragmented digital rulebook, rushing the process risked achieving the opposite, potentially locking in new legal uncertainties and squandering a genuine opportunity to fix longstanding inconsistencies. Signatories made clear that simplification, robust privacy protections, and a competitive European business environment were complementary rather than competing goals, but that achieving this depended on negotiations that are careful, considered and evidence-based, rather than driven by an artificial timetable.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

26 May: The EESC Public Hearing: Action plan against cyberbullying

1 June: AIG Exchange Partners Meeting

3 June: EP CULT Committee Meeting

8 June: Eighth Meeting of the European Artificial Intelligence Board