Bernard Arnault, the head of luxury conglomerate LVMH, is taking legal action against Elon Musk‘s social media platform X (formerly Twitter). A group of French newspapers, including Le Parisien, Les Echos, Le Figaro, and Le Monde, are accusing X of using their content without proper compensation.
Incidentally, Arnault, who heads brands including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Givenchy, has traded places with Mr Musk as the world’s richest man numerous times in recent years, though the Tesla and Space X boss currently holds the title.
This lawsuit is based on a European Union directive that allows news organizations to receive payment when their content is used by digital platforms. The French publishers argue that X has refused to negotiate fair compensation, unlike other tech giants like Google and Meta.
The legal battle between the world’s two wealthiest individuals highlights the ongoing tension between traditional media and digital platforms. While Arnault’s fortune has declined due to economic factors, Musk’s wealth has soared in recent years.
A Paris court has already ruled in favor of the French publishers, ordering X to provide data on its use of their content. However, X has reportedly failed to comply with this ruling, prompting the current legal action.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of journalism and digital rights in Europe.