France this year how to tax American internet giants such as Google, Amazon and Netflix in order to finance the increasingly vital film and television sector due to changes in market rules brought about by video streaming.
The French Minister of Culture, Fleur Pellerin, stressed in an interview with the business newspaper “Les Echos” that “different paths” are being examined at the French and European level, in order to ensure that these specific sectors of the internet actually contribute to production. . She also emphasizes that she wants to find a constructive solution by the end of the year. “It is an urgent matter for the finances of French production, from which American companies benefit, as they even act as advertisers,” the minister says characteristically. However, the minister does not doubt that France will find solutions that will attract the interest of other countries, such as Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland.
Her comments were the latest sign that France is determined to protect the audiovisual sector and will confront any attempt by major American companies to avoid French taxes that boost domestic productions.
In a statement in October, François Hollande stressed that European laws on audiovisual services should be revised. France took the first step this year, changing the laws to oblige online companies based abroad but buyers in France to pay taxes. The measure in question “hits” Netflix, which has allowed streaming by French consumers since September 2014. Indicatively, the giant company is moving its offices from Luxembourg to the Netherlands this year.
Finally, Google, through its YouTube subsidiary, provides continuous streaming of commercials and TV shows. Furthermore, the giant called Amazon has also influenced production with its direct video viewing service (Amazon Prime), while it has already signed a contract with Woody Allen for a new series.
Source: kathimerini.gr
