The Syndicat des Éditeurs de Presse Magazine secures the suspension of the test requested by Google

On November 13, 2024, Google announced the launch of a test aimed at removing press results for 1% of its users in nine European countries, including France. According to Google, this test, scheduled to begin on November 14, was intended to assess the value of displaying press content as part of ongoing negotiations with publishers regarding the remuneration of their related rights.

That same day, the Syndicat des Éditeurs de Presse Magazine (SEPM) obtained a temporary suspension of the test from the Paris Commercial Court’s Economic Activities Chamber through an ex parte motion.

In parallel, SEPM filed an urgent application against Google to initiate an adversarial debate before the court and referred the matter to the French Competition Authority, arguing that the test violated commitments made by Google in its Decision No. 22-D-13 of June 21, 2022. On February 20, the court ordered the suspension of the test pending the Competition Authority’s decision, under penalty of a €900,000 daily fine for non-compliance. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) voluntarily intervened in support of SEPM’s claims, which were also backed by major European press and journalist associations.

SEPM was represented by a team composed of partners Alexandre Rios and Gaspard Lundwall, along with associates Karine Boukersi and Victorine Aimé.

RSF was represented by the law firm Vigo, with partner Emmanuel Daoud and associates Léo Marronnier and Clémentine Veltz.