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Google in Trouble for Suggesting Illegal Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the we-should-start-a-google-lawsuits-topic dept.

JehCt writes "Google is being sued over the 'suggest' feature built into its latest toolbar. InfoWorld reports: 'ServersCheck, a small company that makes network monitoring software,' is complaining that, 'If ServersCheck is entered, Google generates suggested search terms such as serverscheck crack, serverscheck pro crack and serverscheck keygen which lead to pirated software.' In an apparent public relations blunder, Google claimed to have no way of filtering suggestions. However, Google can and does filter because the toolbar won't provide suggestions for keywords like 'porn'."

3 of 370 comments (clear)

  1. I was wondering when this was going to happen by DaHat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Back in the 2600 case over the DeCSS source code the courts said that it was effectively illegal to link to something illegal.

    Since then I've been wondering when the major search engines were going to be sued because they link to illegal content such as child porn and pirated software.

    It'll be interesting to see how this pans out and if Google does lose you can surly expect to see others joining in against them and others due to the precedent it sets.

    --
    Help Brendan pay off his student loans
  2. Re:No leg to stand on? by TommyBlack · · Score: 5, Interesting

    But if you filter words like "crack" and "keygen", you'd basically have to do that manually by making special rules for those sorts of things. But then why wouldn't folks just start using different words?

    And what about if those words were being used for legitimate purposes? (Admittedly, I can't think of any legitimate reason most people would do so)

    At any rate, I think Google is on the right side trying to remain value-neutral with respect to content as much as possible. They have to respond to pressure on things like pornography sometimes, but if the system is built upon the way people are actually using it, the less they mess with their system the better it should be.

    --
    Why do my serious comments get modded "funny"?
  3. Common problem by Rgb465 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This "problem" is not limited to ServersCheck. A Google 'Suggest' search for just about any popular software package will turn up entries that include the words "crack", "serial" or "keygen".

    Just for kicks I tried the following queries:

    Photoshop
    Paintshop
    Autocad 2005
    3d Studio Max
    Fruity Loops
    Windows 2000 Pro
    Office 2003
    Soundforge

    *All* of them resulted in illicit entries appearing in the suggestions box.