A number of companies including charities have been asked to pay a fee to the newspaper industry for linking to articles on their websites.

The fee involved ranges from €300 a year for up to 5 links to up to €1,350 for up to 50 links.

The National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) represents 16 national daily, Sunday and weekly newspapers and 25 local and regional newspapers of the industry.

It says its view is that linking for commercial purposes needs either prior permission or a licence.

Links 'constitute infringement of copyright'

The same issue was raised a number of months ago in the Consultation Paper issued by the Copyright Review Committee appointed by the Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton to review existing copyright law.

The Committee asked for submissions from interested parties on the issue and as to whether existing copyright law should be changed.

In a statement the NNI commented "the display and transmission of links does constitute an infringement of copyright".

It added that "We await, in due course, the final report from the Copyright Review Committee and await sight of whatever they might say or recommend on the point".

Simon McGarr of McGarr solicitors represents the Women's Aid charity.

He says his clients have been asked to pay for its links despite being a charity.