European Commission Bans Staff from Using TikTok Due to Security Fears
The European Commission, the executive power of the European Union (EU), has banned its staff from using TikTok over security fears.
EU Plans to Regulate AI Image Generators
The European Union (EU) plans to introduce new legislation in 2023 that will force the companies behind AI image generators to be more open about how their models are built.
EU Gives Final Approval to Law that Will Force Apple to Use USB-C
The European Union (EU) today gave its final approval which demands that by 2024, the USB-C port will become mandatory for a range of electronic devices including mobile phones, tablets, and headphones.
EU Votes to Make USB-C the Charging Standard by 2024
It finally happened: The European Parliament (EP) voted to make almost all electronics USB-C compatible.
DJI Mavic 3 Pilots No Longer Need to Pass the European Flight Exam
DJI has announced that it has received the first-ever C1 drone certificate for its Mavic 3 drone series that allows them to be flown in the new A1 Open Air Category without first having to pass the complex and expensive A2 Remote Piloting License exam.
U.S. Senator Reiterates the Need for a Common Mobile Charging Cable
Senator Elizabeth Warren has reiterated her stance that consumers should not have to continue to buy new and different charging cables for their mobile devices.
Senators Want US to Follow EU and Adopt a Common Charging Cable
A group of United States senators has written a letter to the U.S. Commerce Department advocating that the country should follow the European Union's decision to force all electronics manufacturers to adopt a common charging cable.
European Union Says All Smartphones Must Charge with USB-C by 2024
In a move that is being called a major blow to Apple's proprietary Lightning port, the European Union has come to an agreement that will require all smartphone manufacturers that sell in Europe to use the common USB-C port.
Meta Says it Did not ‘Threaten’ To Leave Europe, But Might Be Forced To
Meta has published a blog post that takes aim at the language used to report that it "threatened" to pull Instagram and Facebook out of European countries if the rules around data transfers were changed.
Zuckerberg Threatens to Shut Down Facebook and Instagram in Europe
Meta might shut down Instagram and Facebook in Europe if the company isn't allowed to process data from its European users on its U.S.-based servers, a change that is currently under regulators' scrutiny.
Apple Unhappy as the EU Proposes Mandatory USB-C on All Devices
The European Commission, which is the executive arm of the European Union (EU), has announced plans to force electronics manufacturers, from smartphones to handheld video game consoles, to use USB-C in an effort to reduce waste, and Apple is not happy about it.
Photo Agency Argues Photojournalists Do Not Have Copyright Protections
A Lisbon, Portugal-based photographer who worked for the news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) is attempting to regain control of the copyrights for his images. To block him, AFP is stating no photojournalist deserves protection under copyright law, which could upset the entire industry.
All of the EU is Now Under New, Consistent Drone Flying Rules
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has passed a new set of drone regulations that centralize and blanket the entire European Union under one set of rules that includes Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom.
Leica Unveils Line of ‘Made in Portugal’ Lenses that are Cheaper for US Buyers
Putting the words "Leica" and "Cheap" in the same headline is usually an oxymoron, but the company has just announced that it will be selling "Made in Portugal" versions of nine popular M-mount lenses in order to bypass a controversial US tariff established last year, making these lenses more affordable for US buyers.
Google Search Could Ditch All Photo Thumbnails Under EU Copyright Law
In September 2018, the European Parliament voted in favor of the highly controversial EU Copyright Directive, which aims to "harmonize" copyright law across Europe. But critics argue the law could destroy the open Web, and now Google is showing an eye-opening look at what its search results could soon look like.
Online Photos Can’t Be Used Without Permission, EU Court Rules
A Virginia federal court sparked quite a controversy among photographers last month when it ruled that copying photos found on the Internet is fair use. Now a European Union court has just issued a landmark ruling that states you can't simply republish a photo because it's freely accessible online -- you need the photographer's permission first.
Nikon Trademarks ‘Noct’ for New Cameras and Lenses
Nikon has filed a trademark application in the European Union for the word "Noct." With the company's full-frame mirrorless camera around the corner, it seems likely this new trademark filing may be related to the new camera system.
Canon and Hasselblad CEOs on the Effects the UK’s ‘Brexit’ Might Have
In a shocking referendum that has left the country in turmoil this morning, the United Kingdom decided to leave the European Union. This is what Canon and Hasselblad's CEOs had to say about the potential impact.
Anti-Freedom of Panorama Proposal Rejected by EU
Good news for photographers in Europe: freedom of panorama will live on to see another day -- in most countries, at least. Today the European Parliament voted on a controversial proposal that threatened to restrict the photography of copyrighted buildings and sculptures from public places. An overwhelming majority of MEPs voted against the plan.
Petition for Saving Freedom of Panorama in Europe Passes 300K Signatures
Last month, we shared how "freedom of panorama" has come under attack in Europe. According to a proposed amendment to copyright reforms being considered, photographers would need to seek authorization before commercially using photos showing copyrighted works that are permanently located in public spaces.
Once word of the proposed amendment got out, photographers have been working hard to speak out against the proposal in order to retain freedom of panorama.