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Policy

UK licence fee to be expanded to streamers?

Streaming subscribers in the UK could soon be required to pay the TV licence fee under plans to safeguard the future of the BBC. According to a report in The Times, the government is reluctant to move towards a model funded by advertising or subscriptions and is instead said to be considering an expansive approach, […]

May 12, 2026

Dua Lipa sues Samsung over image rights

Pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against ‌Samsung Electronics seeking $15 million (€12.7m) in damages. The British star has accused the tech giant of using her image without permission to market its TV sets. The lawsuit alleges that Samsung featured a copyrighted ​image of the singer on a TV screen on the front […]

May 11, 2026

Italy broadens FTA coverage for sports and cultural events

Italy’s Communications Authority (AgCom) has updated its list of events of ‘significant public importance’ that must be broadcast free-to-air to at least 80 per cent of the Italian population. This revised list is notably broader than previous versions, encompassing a diverse range of sporting and cultural milestones. Major sporting events include the Olympics and Paralympics, […]

May 8, 2026From Branislav Pekic in Rome

France: YouTube accused of being TV market “free rider”

As the result of a double tax reduction (66 per cent), video sharing platforms collectively pay just over €30 million in taxes to France’s creation funding public body CNC, compared to around €160 million for paid or free video services, and just under €250 million for television channels. “They contribute only one third of their […]

May 8, 2026From Pascale Paoli-Lebailly in Paris

Sky seeks €1.9bn in damages from TIM, DAZN over Serie A deal

Sky is seeking up to €1.9 billion in damages from Telecom Italia (TIM) and sports streamer DAZN. TIM confirmed in documents ⁠released with its Q1 earning that Sky has alleged in a judicial claim that ​it suffered losses due to a breach of antitrust rules linked to a 2021 deal ​between TIM and DAZN to […]

May 8, 2026

IP House, UKIPO collaboration

Intellectual property protection and enforcement company IP House and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise their partnership in the fight against intellectual property (IP) crime. This MOU represents a meaningful development in collaboration between the UKIPO and the private sector, marking a strategic step forward that […]

May 6, 2026By Colin Mann

MultiChoice facing prosecution

South Africa-based MultiChoice (now controlled by Canal+) is facing prosecution from the country’s Competition authorities for alleged collusion with Durban-based set-top box manufacturer Altech UEC. The allegations state the two companies entered into a market-division agreement in February 2014 under which Altech would not compete with MultiChoice in the pay-TV market. This accusation, if proved, […]

May 6, 2026By Chris Forrester

Media raises concerns on the Digital Omnibus

The undersigned associations representing the media sector wish has reiterated its “strong concerns” about the Digital Omnibus, in particular on Art. 88a GDPR and Art. 88b GDPR. In a press statement, the association said: At a time when the EU seeks to boost competitiveness and strengthen its digital economy, the chosen approach risks achieving the […]

May 6, 2026

No Oscars for AI writing or acting

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has clarified that only acting and writing for films done by humans will be considered eligible to win an Oscar. The Academy issued updated rules for what kind of work in movies and documentaries would be considered eligible for an Oscar. The Academy specified that only acting […]

May 5, 2026

US deems Vietnam priority IP threat

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its 2026 Special 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of US trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights. “Using all the enforcement tools we have to address unfair trade practices is a top priority,” said Ambassador Jamieson Greer. “We have […]

May 5, 2026By Colin Mann