PARIS, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Major French newspapers,

including Le Monde, Le Figaro and Le Parisien, said on Tuesday

that they were taking legal action against social media platform

X for allegedly using their content without paying.

Representatives for X did not immediately respond to

requests for comment.

The newspapers said they were due payment under their

ancillary rights, which allow payment to news outlets by digital

platforms for the distribution of their content.

They said that X, formerly known as Twitter, has never

agreed to open negotiations with French news publishers, unlike

Alphabet Inc's ( GOOG ) Google and Meta Platforms Inc. ( META )

They also said X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk,

has not complied with an order issued by the Paris Court of

Justice in May to release information required to calculate the

amount owed.

"The revenue from these rights, with the investment that it

would enable its beneficiaries to make, is a boost to the

plurality, independence and quality of the media, which are

essential for freedom of expression and the right to information

in our democratic society," the newspapers said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Paris tribunal confirmed the case and

said a hearing was scheduled for May 15, 2025.