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Google Loses Cache-Copyright Lawsuit in Belgium

Posted by Zonk on from the no-convenience-for-you dept.

acroyear writes "A court in Belgium has found that Google's website caching policies are a violation of that nation's copyright laws. The finding is that Google's cache offers effectively free access to articles that, while free initially, are archived and charged for via subscriptions. Google claims that they only store short extracts, but the court determined that's still a violation. From the court's ruling: 'It would be up to copyright owners to get in touch with Google by e-mail to complain if the site was posting content that belonged to them. Google would then have 24 hours to withdraw the content or face a daily fine of 1,000 euros ($1,295 U.S.).'"

4 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. Re:That's unfortunate by mikkelm · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hey, that's a great idea.

    If you don't want your music copied, don't release it.

    If you don't want your book copied, don't release it.

    If you don't want your trademarks infringed, don't publicise them.

    If you don't want to be robbed, don't walk the streets at night.

    Don't complain if you actually decide to do any of these things, 'cause you gave people the opportunity to abuse it.

  2. Re:So no "fair dealing" or "fair use" in Belgium? by pla · · Score: 0, Troll

    I thought the whole EU had some sort of "fair dealing" exemptions. If they do, I can't believe that Google's lawyers lost this.

    Except that Google exists as a primarily American company, a "condition" as dangerous as the traditional Mafia "kiss of death" in any EU court.

    Just look at the fun Microsoft has had with them...
    "Roll over!"
    "okay..."
    "Play dead!"
    [drool drool drool]
    "open your formats"
    "here, have the goddamned sourcecode and leave us alone!"
    "not good enough, write your competitors' products or we'll fine you!"



    Cheese-eating surrender- monkeys, indeed.

  3. The EU by sean_ex_machina · · Score: 0, Troll

    Does the EU actually do anything these days aside from suing American companies for daring to do business in Europe?

    Oh, wait, that's because harassing American companies is about the only thing all the members are ever able to agree on. Duh.

  4. Instead of Delisting them by timias1 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Google should move their sites to the top in listings such as:
    Crybabies
    Technologically Inept
    Failed Business Plan
    Silly Europeans