Poland Challenges EU's New Copyright Law Over Censorship FearsIt says the content filtering requirement is a step backward.
ByJon Fingas•
This story originally appeared onEngadget
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TheEU's contentious copyright lawis already facing some opposition from one of its existing members. Poland hassubmitteda complaint to the European Court of Justice arguing that the law's requirement for filtering content had the potential for censorship. This would violate both the Polish constitution as well as EU treaties, Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymanski toldTVP Info.
Poland was one of six EU members that voted against the measure, including Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Most objections to the content filtering have revolved around the general chilling effect it might have on the web, leading toconspicuously empty search resultsand skittish content creators. However, Poland's concern is more pointed -- it's characterizing this as a free speech issue. There's no certainty that the court will be receptive to the argument, but Poland's move could at least draw attention to the possibility of unintended consequences.