3 Count: French Deal

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1: Google signs copyright agreements with six French newspapers

First off today, Reuters reports that Google has signed a deal with six French newspapers and magazines to allow the search giant to continue using their content as part of their search results.

The move comes as new EU regulations come into effect that require search engines to pay fees to news organizations for the use of their snippets, thumbnails and headlines. Google had originally resisted such efforts to compel them to pay, even shutting down Google News in Spain.

However, with the new EU law, Google has shown a willingness to work with local news organizations and the latest deal is just the most recent example. The current deal includes major national daily newspapers Le Monde and Le Figaro but Google says they are in negotiations with other publications all over the country.

2: What Happens When a Virtual Streamer Doesn’t Own Her Body?

Next up today, Jacob Kastrenakes at The Verge reports that Twitch Streamer Projekt Melody is in the middle of a copyright dispute over an unexpected part of her stream: Her body.

Melody is what is known as a Vtuber or V streamer. Instead of featuring on camera herself, she is represented by a 3D model. However, the creator of that 3D model recently filed a series of copyright complaints with Twitch, resulting in her account briefly being banned and her losing her partner status indefinitely.

Melody doesn’t deny that the filer created the model but showed evidence, including receipts, that she purchased the 3D model she used. However, there seems to be a huge disagreement about exactly what rights to the work Melody acquired. Neither side commented on the report with both indicating that they were trying to work things out.

3: A Bot Made Frank Sinatra Cover Britney Spears. YouTube Removed It Over Copyright Claims

Finally today, Dan Robitzski at Futurism reports that the music duo DADABOTS faced a copyright takedown on an AI-created song that featured a fake Fran Sinatra covering Toxic by Britney Spears.

The notice was filed by an anti-piracy firm named GrayZone Inc. However, DADABOTS filed a counternotice against the removal, with the aid of two pro-bono attorneys, arguing that the song was transformative enough to be a fair use.

However, though YouTube did restore the track they determined that the song is a Britney Spears cover, meaning that they would have to share revenue with her publisher (not label as indicated in the article). The case comes amidst a series of other copyright controversies involving AI on YouTube including battles over deepfakes of Jay-Z and an AI-created Pink Floyd fan album.

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