[nkkollaw]

True, but not anymore I guess. It's not uncommon for governments to start out well and be clouded by power grabs later on, which is I think what's happening (unless it was the plan since the beginning, which we'll never know).

[mcv]

I don't think this is a power grab by the EU. I think many people who voted for this meant well, but were deluded into thinking this would accomplish what they want. They have sympathy for newspapers, and I do too; quality journalism is very important. I'm just baffled that they actually think this will mean Google will give money to newspapers. That's probably what some old people with a sore lack of understanding of how the internet works, came up with, and then relentlessly lobbied the EU Parliament to push it through.

The EU or its parliament do not benefit from this at all. Except that when this is over, hopefully they've finally learned not to let lobbyists set policy.

[nkkollaw]

> I don't think this is a power grab by the EU.

Sorry, I meant in general and not this specific instance.

> That's probably what some old people with a sore lack of understanding of how the internet works, came up with, and then relentlessly lobbied the EU Parliament to push it through.

I hold the believe that people in the EU commission are smart. That's why whenever stuff like this happens I assume they did it because of greed, not because they're so dumb and inefficient to not have consulted a few experts before drafting a law.

I'm not entirely sure, though.