Meta loses French appeals against interim measures on news publishers' rights

The Paris Court of Appeals on Oct. 29 rejected both of Meta's appeals against interim measures imposed by France's competition authority, the Autorité de la concurrence, the court said, Reuters reported. The measures concern payments to news publishers under neighbouring rights, which let press publishers seek payment for online use of their content.

What the regulator ordered. In two decisions on July 8, after complaints from press groups DVP (Droits Voisins de la Presse) and APIG (Alliance de la Presse d'Information Générale), the authority ordered Meta to negotiate in good faith with publishers and news agencies using transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria. It also ordered Meta to share information needed to assess the payments, and not to degrade how press content is displayed on its services during negotiations.

Interim, not final. These are interim measures. The authority found that Meta's practices may amount to an abuse of a dominant position, and said the orders stay in force until it rules on the merits of the complaints, which it is still investigating. The court said Meta's practices on how it sets neighbouring-rights payments "may constitute an abuse of a dominant position," Reuters reported. It also found the measures were "strictly limited to what is necessary" to deal with the urgency, JSS reported, citing AFP.

Why it matters. Meta's earlier agreements with the press groups expired, and the two sides have not agreed new terms. French media have received no payments from Meta since 2025, according to Reuters.

Meta's response. A Meta spokesperson told Reuters the company was disappointed by the ruling. "We are assessing next steps but will continue to comply with the interim measures and negotiate in good faith, and hope the publishers will do the same," the spokesperson said. DVP welcomed the decision.