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Google in Trouble for Suggesting Illegal Software
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'."
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
...when Google just brought to their attention that certain websites were pirating their software and offered to list each of those sites for them?
I don't like installing toolbars, but you can dink around with the suggest feature here
Man, you really need that seminar!
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"?
They should stop filtering on the word "porn"
Maybe Google should just filter out "ServersCheck".
I can think of reasons: if you make software that attempts to prevent cracking or simple key generation, you probably will use the words "crack" and "keygen" in your literature, if you attempt to break software to verify level of protection, etc. If Google were to put such a filter in place, they now have to examine each search result, and attempt to determine if the instance is talking about breaking software, protecting software, or illegally using software.
They very likely *can't* do that with the product they have today. It is a technically possible solution that Google could impliment, but not one that they are capable of today.
In regards to the pornography, Google probably determined that porn showed up far too often when searching for something unrelated. They likely hardcoded the application to avoid displaying those hits.
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.
You don't see France suing over this!
I think more to the point though is the one thing that people don't seem to understand about Google. They are a SEARCH engine. They don't produce the content, only make it easier to find. They shouldn't be held responsible for other peoples' criminal acts. You can learn how to make a bomb through Google as well, and you should be able to. That is one of the side effects of having the entire span of human knowledge at your fingertips. I just don't understand why companies, individuals and interest groups keep going after the messenger.
You'll have that sometimes...
I guess this means a lot of people search for these things. But it's probably fair to complain about Google actually suggesting these search terms.
I personally disagree with this complaint, but I understand it.
Man, you really need that seminar!
I hope I get mod point s again soon.
I hope I don't get metamodded for moderation abuse.
I hope this comment doesn't get modded down.
I hope that was the preview button.
Man, you really need that seminar!
The 2600 decision was unconstitutional on the face of it. The first amendment lets a newspaper tell citizens where a red light district is without fear of being hauled up on pandering charges. The last 25 years have seen our federal courts loaded with pro-business, defacto right wing judges who have markedly ruled against the consumer and for more invasive corporate power.
Google shouldn't have to filter a damned thing.
Software to crack your own property is morally proper, no matter what laws the rich bastards have purchased. The "license to use, but you don't own this disk or the software" idea is manure. You buy it, you own it. That's how physical transactions work. An author of a book doesn't get to tell you how to read, store, or dispose of the book after you purchase it. Well, right now he can't. Wait a couple of years.
This is how people lose faith in the law. Make enough stupid, vicious laws to make powerful people happy, and soon no one respects the law, since they KNOW it's a scam to make powerful wealthy people happy.
I'm starting to see the end of the internet as we've known it. It's turning into corporate-controlled 21st century TV, complete with vice squads and corporate private cops busting people.
Time to start building encrypted darknet transmission systems, kids. The dark times are starting.
From the first hit using the search terms "serverscheck crack":
Shareware Connection periodically updates pricing and software information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it. Software piracy is theft, Using crack, password, serial numbers, registration codes, key generators (keygens), warez is illegal and prevent future software development.
How would you go about filtering this site? Curious.
My spoon is too big.
Google can just filter all hits that involve the term "ServersCheck."