While some publishers have introduced paywalls or blocked content in their fight against ad-blockers, others are considering taking legal action against the licensors of ad-blocking software. Even the Interactive Advertising Bureau has said that it is looking into litigation against ad-blockers. Ad-blocking software has long been a concern of agencies, marketers and publishers, but recent developments have pushed the issue to the forefront. Copyright has provided the most common ground for publishers to fight against ad-blockers, with publishers maintaining that ad-blockers infringe on copyrights, as they change publishers’ pages. The European Commission recently proposed a new directive which would require all websites and online services offering free access to information about advertising to pay publishers who host ads online.
While some publishers have introduced paywalls or blocked content in their fight against ad-blockers, others are considering taking legal action against the licensors of ad-blocking software. Even the Interactive Advertising Bureau has said that it is looking into litigation against ad-blockers. Copyright has provided the most common ground for publishers to fight against ad-blockers, with publishers maintaining that ad-blockers infringe on copyrights, as they change publishers’ pages. The European Commission recently proposed a new directive which would require all websites and online services offering free access to information about advertising to pay publishers who host ads online.