Netflix (NFLX) Pushes Back Against German Law Forcing Streamers To Reinvest Local Revenue

• Multiple artists, including Young MC, Poison frontman Bret Michaels, and country singer Martina McBride, have withdrawn from the US Freedom 250 concert. • The performers cited concerns that the event would be overly political and claimed they were misled regarding the festival's political affiliations.

• Germany rejected U.S. accusations on Friday that its proposed streaming investment law violates the recently established EU-U.S. Turnberry trade pact. • Berlin defends the legislation as a "very moderate" cultural policy tool by European standards rather than a digital trade barrier.

• YouTuber Kane Parsons is adapting his eerie, liminal-space web series "The Backrooms" into a feature-length Hollywood film. • The project highlights a growing trend where Hollywood executives seek out internet-native creators and viral digital cultures to attract new audiences.

• A film critic highlighted standout titles from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, noting a decrease in traditional Hollywood spectacle compared to previous years. • Key recommendations include "All of a Sudden" by Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi and "Fjord," starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.

• Streaming platforms in India are increasingly censoring content by deleting scenes and muting punchlines to comply with local norms or regulations. • This trend mirrors global censorship patterns seen in Russia and China, where government-critical content is removed, and in regions where LGBTQ+ references are erased.

• Counterfeit goods and piracy continue to thrive in Vietnam, as evidenced by bustling trade at markets near the capital despite government crackdowns. • On April 30, the U.S. designated Vietnam as the world's worst offender regarding intellectual property (IP) rights.

• Vivo has officially launched the TWS 5e earbuds in the Chinese market. • The new audio device features 11mm dynamic drivers and hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) for improved sound quality.

• A union representing over 500,000 film industry workers has issued a "non-cooperation directive" against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. • The directive effectively bans industry workers from collaborating with the actor, though the specific reasons for this disciplinary action have not been detailed.

• Netflix and other streaming platforms have criticized a new German draft law approved by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet on Wednesday. • The proposed legislation would compel streaming services to reinvest a specific share of their locally generated revenue back into domestic film and television production.

• A 21-year-old Austrian man has been found guilty of planning a terrorist attack at Taylor Swift's scheduled concerts in Vienna. • The defendant was convicted of plotting the assault and other terrorism-related offenses, following an investigation into his intentions to target the event.

• Singer Gracie Abrams has announced "The Look At My Life Tour," featuring a comprehensive series of live performances across North America and Europe. • The tour schedule includes major European cities such as London, Paris, and Stockholm, concluding on May 28, 2027, at Palau St. Jordi in Barcelona, Spain.