Swiss voters approve ‘Lex Netflix’ TV streaming funding law

A poster studying: “No to the movie legislation – anti-consumer, unfair, patronising” is seen on a area, earlier than the Swiss citizens votes on a number of points in a referendum subsequent weekend, close to Birmensdorf, Switzerland Could 9, 2022. Image taken Could 9, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

ZURICH, Could 15 (Reuters) – Swiss voters on Sunday backed proposals to make international TV streaming providers reminiscent of Netflix Inc (NFLX.O), Amazon (AMZN.O) and Disney (DIS.N) make investments a few of their revenues generated in Switzerland into home film-making.

Simply over 58% of voters backed the proposal, in accordance with the ultimate end result, in one in every of three nationwide votes held beneath the Swiss system of direct democracy.

Switzerland will turn out to be the newest European nation to introduce such measures to assist native TV and movie manufacturing and enhance locally-produced content material.

“This end result underlines the cultural significance of film-making in Switzerland,” Swiss Inside Minister Alain Berset informed a press convention on Sunday.

Within the binding referendum on what’s being referred to as “Lex Netflix”, worldwide streaming providers should make investments 4% of the income they make in Switzerland in native movie manufacturing.

The investments can take the type of shopping for locally-made exhibits, making programmes themselves or go into an funding fund.

Netflix mentioned it revered the end result and would work with the federal government implementing the regulation.

“We imagine that good tales can come from wherever, and now we have already invested in content material from Switzerland up to now,” a Netflix spokesperson mentioned.

Amazon declined to remark and Disney didn’t reply to a request for remark.

The same legislation has been handed in Portugal the place streaming service suppliers must pay 1% on their revenue to the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisuals.

Denmark is contemplating a levy and Spain is because of introduce one. France and Italy make streaming providers make investments a proportion of their revenues in European content material in native languages.

In a separate referendum, 72% authorised growing funding for Europe’s Frontex border safety company.

A rejection might have pressured Switzerland out of the 26-member Schengen passport-free journey zone and the Dublin system of coordinating asylum functions.

Within the third vote, folks now have to decide out of transplants slightly than decide in after 60% of voters supported the plan.

Reporting by John Revill;
Enhancing by Gareth Jones, David Evans and Emelia Sithole-Matarise

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