Adviser of Highest EU Court Backs VPN Neutrality in Anne Frank Copyright Battle

3 months ago

The Diary of Anne Frank is a well-known literary work written during World War II by a young girl hiding from the Nazis.
A copyright battle exists over the digital accessibility of the diary, controlled by the Swiss-based Anne Frank Fonds.
In the Netherlands, parts of the manuscripts remain under copyright until 2037, while they are public domain in other countries like Belgium.
The Dutch Anne Frank Stichting published a scholarly edition online with geo-blocking to restrict access in countries where the work is protected.
The Anne Frank Fonds argued that geo-blocking isn't sufficient if it can be bypassed, but Dutch courts dismissed this claim, leading to an appeal.
The case is now before the Dutch Supreme Court, with questions referred to the EU's top court (CJEU) regarding VPN neutrality and geo-blocking.
Advocate General Rantos of the CJEU supports geo-blocking as a sufficient measure, stating VPN providers aren't liable unless they encourage unlawful use.
The final CJEU ruling, expected later this year, will impact the digital future of Anne Frank's diary and other geo-blocked content.
If geo-blocking is deemed insufficient, it could affect many websites, including streaming platforms, and create backlash if VPNs are held liable for user actions.

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