The head of luxury conglomerate LVMH, Bernard Arnault is taking legal action against Elon Musk’s social media platform X. 

 

Who is Bernard Arnault?

 

Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire and the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods conglomerate, overseeing brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Givenchy. Known for his strategic acquisitions and disciplined management, Arnault has made LVMH a dominant force in luxury. He frequently ranks among the world’s richest people, often trading the top spot with Elon Musk. Beyond business, Arnault is an art collector and philanthropist, notably supporting French culture through projects like the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.

 

His lawsuit against Elon Musk’s platform X involves French news publishers who allege that X has used their content without permission or fair compensation. The lawsuit is based on a European Union directive that allows news organizations to receive payment when their content is used by digital platforms. 

The French newspapers, such as Le Parisien, Les Echos, Les Figaro, and Le Monde, are accusing X of using their content without permission. These French publishers have argued that X has refused to negotiate fair compensation, unlike Google and Meta. 

Google and Meta have already negotiated licensing agreements with some European publishers, setting an example of compliance with Article 15. This compliance contrasts with X’s resistance, highlighting the different approaches tech giants are taking toward this regulation.

A court in Paris has ruled in favor of the publishers ordering X to provide data on its use of their content. Although X has failed to comply with the ruling, prompting this legal action. 

 

What is the  ‘Digital Copyright Directive’?

The European Union has implemented a directive known as the "Digital Copyright Directive," which includes a significant provision benefiting news organizations. This directive, often referred to as Article 15 or the "Link Tax," mandates that digital platforms, such as Google and Facebook, compensate news publishers when they use excerpts or summaries of their content.

This is a legal battle between two of the world's wealthiest individuals. It puts forth the tensions between traditional media and digital platforms. This case will have significant implications for the future of journalism and digital rights in Europe.