LVMH’s media subsidiary, Les Echos-Le Parisien, has opted out of a previously announced lawsuit against X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, according to a judicial source and multiple industry insiders. The withdrawal signals a shift in the French publishing giant’s legal stance, leaving its media counterparts, Le Monde and Le Figaro, to pursue the case independently.
In November, Les Echos-Le Parisien had initially joined other major French media houses in challenging X over its alleged failure to compensate publishers for content shared on its platform. The case, rooted in the European Union’s copyright laws, sought to establish financial accountability from digital platforms profiting from journalistic content.
However, a court official confirmed that when Le Monde and Le Figaro formally filed their lawsuit last month, Les Echos-Le Parisien was absent from the legal action. Two industry sources stated that the LVMH-owned media group informed other publishers of its decision to step back without detailing its rationale.
“We did indeed raise the issue with X in the past, and discussions have since evolved,” a spokesperson for Les Echos-Le Parisien said, without providing further clarification. Neither LVMH nor representatives from X commented on the matter.
Media Legal Battles and Shifting Alliances
The broader lawsuit against X follows a precedent set in 2021 when French publishers, including Les Echos-Le Parisien, secured a victory against Google at France’s competition authority, compelling the tech giant to compensate them for content usage. A similar agreement was later reached with Meta.
Despite its withdrawal from the X lawsuit, Les Echos-Le Parisien remains active in legal battles against major tech platforms. Just last month, the publisher joined other French media outlets in announcing a lawsuit against Microsoft’s LinkedIn, although a court date has yet to be set.
LVMH’s Media Expansion and Political Ties
LVMH, owned by Bernard Arnault, has expanded significantly into the media sector, acquiring Les Echos in 2007, Le Parisien in 2015, and most recently, Paris Match. The conglomerate also owns a French radio station, reinforcing its presence in the country’s information landscape.
Arnault, a key figure in European business and a known supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has maintained a rapport with Musk. Last month, he praised what he called a “wind of optimism” in the U.S. following Trump’s election victory and has endorsed Musk’s influence in Washington.
With Les Echos-Le Parisien stepping back from the lawsuit, the remaining plaintiffs face a pivotal legal battle as they challenge X’s content monetization practices under EU law. The outcome could set a precedent for digital copyright enforcement across Europe.