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Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The musician Wyclef Jean is among those who have opposed the copyright laws

Controversial new copyright laws have been approved by members of the European Parliament.

The laws had been changed since July when the first version of the copyright directive was voted down. Critics say they remain problematic.

Many musicians and creators claim the reforms are necessary to fairly compensate artists.

But opponents fear that the plans could destroy user-generated content, memes and parodies.

Leaders of the EU’s member states still need to sign off on the rule changes before the individual countries have to draft local laws to put them into effect.

The vote in Strasbourg was 438 in favour of the measures, 226 against and 39 abstentions.

‘Link tax’

MEPs voted on a series of changes to the original directive, the most controversial parts are known as Article 13 and Article 11.

Article 13 puts the onus on web giants to take measures to ensure that agreements with rights-holders for the use of their work are working.

Critics say that would require all internet platforms to filter content put online by users, which many believe would be an excessive restriction on free speech.

Article 11 is also controversial because it forces online platforms to pay news organisations before linking to their stories, something critics refer to a “link tax”.

Axel Voss, the German MEPs in charge of overhauling the copyright rules has made his own amendments, including removing small tech firms from facing certain obligations when striking licensing agreements with rights-holders.

He has also attempted to clarify how members countries would mediate between net firms and rights-holders when they flag infringements.

Earlier this week YouTube weighed in on the debate. Its chief business officer Robert Kyncl said that the one of the most controversial elements of the law – Article 13 – risked “discouraging or even prohibiting platforms from hosting user-generated content”.

Musician Wyclef Jean also spoke out against the directive, appealing to MEPs to “embrace and improve the internet, rather than attempt to block and hinder it”.

But many other musicians, including Sir Paul McCartney had expressed their support for the changes.

Symbol copyright AFP Image caption Top Minister Viktor Orban is predicted to defend his country’s insurance policies

The European Parliament is to talk about whether to release disciplinary lawsuits towards Hungary.

MEPs will debate whether or not the precise-wing govt poses a major possibility to the ECU’s values because of its policies on problems like migrants.

It comes just months after the eu Commission took the step of launching similar court cases in opposition to Poland.

However, that is the primary time the parliament has attempted to use the ability, referred to as Article 7.

Hungarian High Minister Viktor Orban is anticipated to combat the claims in my opinion in the chamber, brandishing a file of counter-arguments more than 100 pages lengthy.

Mr Orban and his Fidesz birthday party say many of the accusations towards them on problems over rule of law were solved way back.

The BBC’s Nick Thorpe in Hungary says the country’s ministers, along side its vocal pro-government media, speak of a witch hunt towards Fidesz, for standing up for nationwide sovereignty against what they call the liberal elite.

Nationalism in heart of Europe needles ECU extensive – Viktor Orban’s Hungary

Eurosceptic Mr Orban was once re-elected earlier this yr after campaigning on an anti-immigration platform, with Fidesz winning two-thirds of parliamentary seats.

But while he has beef up at home, critics in the ecu Parliament say his insurance policies are proof he does not appreciate the values of the EUROPEAN.

A committee of MEPs issues to the Hungarian government’s method to migration – together with a brand new law which criminalises legal professionals and activists who help asylum seekers – to boot as media, the courts and universities as proof.

However, so as for any type of disciplinary proceedings to head beforehand, it wishes the backing of two-thirds of MEPs – and it is no longer clear which manner the vote, as a result of happen on Wednesday, will fall.

If MEPs do choose to improve the process, which might end up with Hungary being monitored by way of Brussels, it’ll be an excessively slow procedure.

The Eu Commission took the unprecedented step against Poland in December 2017, giving it 3 months to deal with concerns that its judicial reforms threatened the rule of thumb of legislation.

However, there may be nonetheless little or no signal that a conclusion is coming, BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming says.