Meta Accused Of Harassing Its Position By The Italian Antitrust Authority

JAKARTA - Italy's antitrust authorities took action against Meta Platforms Inc., on Friday 21 April over alleged abuse of its position in the country in the investigation of music rights.

Meta, a US company that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, last month failed to reach an agreement with Italian writers and issuers of SIAE, to renew copyright licensing.

As a result, all songs under SIAE have been blocked on the Meta site since March 16.

The watchdog said Meta's behavior was detrimental to competition in the market and ordered the company to resume talks with SIAE.

A spokesperson for Meta said the company disagreed with the precautions taken by the Italian authorities, but welcomed the opportunity to continue talks to reach an agreement.

The company later added that it would send another request to SIAE to extend the license agreement.

"We believe it is important to cooperate with the music industry," the spokesman said in a statement.

SIE president Salvatore Nastasi said they were ready to negotiate with Meta in the interest of Italian writers.

"We are open to reaching an agreement for Italian content to return to the Meta platform and to negotiate constructively, but in compliance with indications of antitrust authorities," he told news agency AGI.