Italian Antitrust Authority Orders Meta To Suspend Use Of Copyrighted Music

In a recent move, Italy's antitrust authority has taken steps against Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly known as Facebook Inc.) in a music rights case. The authority is investigating whether Meta violated competition rules by not paying royalties for the use of music on its platforms.

Italy's antitrust authority said on Friday it had taken measures against Meta Platform over an alleged abuse of its position in the country in a probe involving the rights to music posted on the group's platforms.

Last month, Meta, which owns Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram, failed to reach a deal with the Italian society of authors and publishers SIAE, to renew copyright licenses.

As a result, all songs under SIAE's books have been blocked on its platforms since March 16.The watchdog said Meta's conduct was harming competition in the market and ordered the tech giant to resume talks with SIAE.