Hardback
The Responsibility of Online Intermediaries for Illegal User Content in the EU and the US
Featuring foreword from Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union and Professor at the University of Silesia in Katowice
This book delivers a comprehensive examination of the legal systems that regulate the responsibilities of intermediaries for illegal online content in both the EU and the US. It assesses whether existing systems are capable of tackling modern challenges, ultimately advocating for the introduction of a double-sided duty of care, requiring online intermediaries to do more to tackle illegal content whilst also better protecting their users’ rights.
This book delivers a comprehensive examination of the legal systems that regulate the responsibilities of intermediaries for illegal online content in both the EU and the US. It assesses whether existing systems are capable of tackling modern challenges, ultimately advocating for the introduction of a double-sided duty of care, requiring online intermediaries to do more to tackle illegal content whilst also better protecting their users’ rights.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
This book delivers a comprehensive examination of the legal systems that regulate the responsibilities of intermediaries for illegal online content in both the EU and the US. It assesses whether existing systems are capable of tackling modern challenges, ultimately advocating for the introduction of a double-sided duty of care, requiring online intermediaries to do more to tackle illegal content whilst also better protecting their users’ rights.
Key features include:
• discussion of the fundamental rights implications of increased intermediary responsibility
• critical appraisal of the current EU system, as laid down in the e-Commerce Directive, and recommendations for reform
• a detailed examination of US intermediary liability law, namely Section 230 CDA and Section 512(c) DMCA
• an overview of key developments in law and in practice in relation to all types of illegal online content, including copyright-infringing content, child sexual abuse material, terrorist content and hate speech
• analysis of the latest regulatory developments, including the copyright in the DSM Directive, the amended Audiovisual Media Directive and the Terrorist Content Regulation.
This incisive book will be a key resource for practitioners and policy makers working on issues relating to intermediary liability and illegal online content. Deploying the relevant case law, legal literature and legislative history of the topic, it will also be of value to students and academics in the field.
Key features include:
• discussion of the fundamental rights implications of increased intermediary responsibility
• critical appraisal of the current EU system, as laid down in the e-Commerce Directive, and recommendations for reform
• a detailed examination of US intermediary liability law, namely Section 230 CDA and Section 512(c) DMCA
• an overview of key developments in law and in practice in relation to all types of illegal online content, including copyright-infringing content, child sexual abuse material, terrorist content and hate speech
• analysis of the latest regulatory developments, including the copyright in the DSM Directive, the amended Audiovisual Media Directive and the Terrorist Content Regulation.
This incisive book will be a key resource for practitioners and policy makers working on issues relating to intermediary liability and illegal online content. Deploying the relevant case law, legal literature and legislative history of the topic, it will also be of value to students and academics in the field.
Critical Acclaim
‘Wilman has written a great and overwhelming book that can without doubt be qualified as a landmark in the discussion of liability of providers. The book contains a thoughtful analysis which is clearly structured and brings many debates to a precise point.’
– Gerald Spindler, Journal of Intellectual Property, Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Law
‘One of the many interesting aspects of this book is that the author addresses a broad audience: on the one hand, scholars, but, on the other, policy makers. In fact, the author provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the two most influential liability models in the digital landscape: the European and the American paradigms.’
– Oreste Pollicino and Federica Paolucci, EU Law Live
‘Folkert Wilman invites us to a journey into a virtual world where it is easy to formulate questions, but extremely difficult to answer them. In his analysis he displays remarkable knowledge, coupled with professional experience. […] His book will definitely contribute to the ongoing discussion not only on both sides of the Atlantic, but in the entire world. It will constitute an extraordinarily valuable point of reference for lawmakers and courts, including, I believe, the Court of Justice.''
– From the Foreword by Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the EU
‘The Internet offers countless opportunities for exchanging information and expression, but also entails risks of abuse. In dealing with the responsibility of intermediaries for illegal content, this book scrutinises laws on copyright, anti-terrorism, e-commerce and fundamental rights, in the EU and the US, successfully weaving different experiences and developments into a clear and comprehensive analysis. An insightful and thoughtful work, rich in references to case law, legislative history and legal literature. Obligatory reading for anyone working in the field.’
– Anna Marcoulli, Judge at the General Court of the EU
‘Wilman’s book is a timely review of some of the most contested laws of our age: the laws defining platforms’ responsibility for content put online by users. Wilman brings an inside perspective, having spent a decade helping develop EU platform regulations. His comparison of US and EU law is knowledgeable, serious, and comprehensive – and clear-sighted about the ways that such laws can affect anyone who depends on private platforms to share information and participate in society.’
– Daphne Keller, Stanford University, US
‘This book contains a well-researched and comprehensive analysis of the rules applicable in the EU and in the US on the liability of online intermediaries for illegal content of all kinds. It contains a useful and important parallel discussion of the two most important US laws for intermediary liability – Section 230 of the Communications Act and Section 512 of the Copyright Act – two legal regimes which should be discussed in parallel. While the book’s recommendations are focused on the EU, it offers many valuable insights, references, and suggestions for US practitioners and policy makers. It is an excellent work with critical but nuanced analysis that makes a helpful and insightful contribution to the global debate over intermediary liability regimes.’
– Blake Reid, University of Colorado, Boulder, US
– Gerald Spindler, Journal of Intellectual Property, Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Law
‘One of the many interesting aspects of this book is that the author addresses a broad audience: on the one hand, scholars, but, on the other, policy makers. In fact, the author provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the two most influential liability models in the digital landscape: the European and the American paradigms.’
– Oreste Pollicino and Federica Paolucci, EU Law Live
‘Folkert Wilman invites us to a journey into a virtual world where it is easy to formulate questions, but extremely difficult to answer them. In his analysis he displays remarkable knowledge, coupled with professional experience. […] His book will definitely contribute to the ongoing discussion not only on both sides of the Atlantic, but in the entire world. It will constitute an extraordinarily valuable point of reference for lawmakers and courts, including, I believe, the Court of Justice.''
– From the Foreword by Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the EU
‘The Internet offers countless opportunities for exchanging information and expression, but also entails risks of abuse. In dealing with the responsibility of intermediaries for illegal content, this book scrutinises laws on copyright, anti-terrorism, e-commerce and fundamental rights, in the EU and the US, successfully weaving different experiences and developments into a clear and comprehensive analysis. An insightful and thoughtful work, rich in references to case law, legislative history and legal literature. Obligatory reading for anyone working in the field.’
– Anna Marcoulli, Judge at the General Court of the EU
‘Wilman’s book is a timely review of some of the most contested laws of our age: the laws defining platforms’ responsibility for content put online by users. Wilman brings an inside perspective, having spent a decade helping develop EU platform regulations. His comparison of US and EU law is knowledgeable, serious, and comprehensive – and clear-sighted about the ways that such laws can affect anyone who depends on private platforms to share information and participate in society.’
– Daphne Keller, Stanford University, US
‘This book contains a well-researched and comprehensive analysis of the rules applicable in the EU and in the US on the liability of online intermediaries for illegal content of all kinds. It contains a useful and important parallel discussion of the two most important US laws for intermediary liability – Section 230 of the Communications Act and Section 512 of the Copyright Act – two legal regimes which should be discussed in parallel. While the book’s recommendations are focused on the EU, it offers many valuable insights, references, and suggestions for US practitioners and policy makers. It is an excellent work with critical but nuanced analysis that makes a helpful and insightful contribution to the global debate over intermediary liability regimes.’
– Blake Reid, University of Colorado, Boulder, US
Contents
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction Part I: European Union 2. Art. 14 e-Commerce Directive 3. Art. 15 e-Commerce Directive and recent measures
Part II: United States 4. Section 230 CDA 5. Section 512 DMCA Part III: Interests, fundamental rights and private speech regulation 6. Interests at stake 7. Fundamental rights 8. Private speech regulation Part IV: Assessment, recommendations and conclusions 9. Assessment 10. Completing the current regime 11. Towards a double-sided duty of care 12. Conclusions Bibliography Index
Part II: United States 4. Section 230 CDA 5. Section 512 DMCA Part III: Interests, fundamental rights and private speech regulation 6. Interests at stake 7. Fundamental rights 8. Private speech regulation Part IV: Assessment, recommendations and conclusions 9. Assessment 10. Completing the current regime 11. Towards a double-sided duty of care 12. Conclusions Bibliography Index
