University of South Carolina Libraries
French news agency sues Google for copyright violations By ANICK JESDANUN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — In a case that could set limits on Internet search engines, the French news agency AFP is suing Google Inc. for pulling together photos and story excerpts from thousands of news Web sites. Agence France-Presse said the “Google News” service infringes on AFP’s copyrights by reproducing information from the Web sites of subscribers of the Paris-based news wholesaler. The issues raised by the case have profound implications for the Internet, where anyone can be a publisher and Web journals, or blogs, are becoming more frequent destinations for seekers of news. The lawsuit’s outcome will likely hinge on whether Google can persuade the courts that Google News constitutes permissible “fair use” of copyright material. Legal scholars say Google could argue that it adds value by significantly improving the news-consuming experience without greatly harming AFP’s ability to sell its service. In seeking at least $17.5 million in damages, AFP says Google adds little because its news site looks much like those of AFP subscribers, albeit one where software and not human editors determine the placement of stories on a page. The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., where the lawsuit was filed Thursday, will ultimately have to balance search engines’ desire to give consumers convenience, selling ads in the process, and copyright owners’ rights to control their works. “The story (of the Internet) from day one has been one of waves of liberation followed by attempts at control,” said Jonathan Zittrain, a Harvard law professor. “It’s rightly up to the courts and the government to figure out where the lines should be drawn.” It’s possible, though, for the courts to skirt key issues given Google’s promise this week to remove the AFP items in question, though it’s not something that can be done overnight. AFP lawyer Joshua Kaufman said the lawsuit would nevertheless proceed because damage already has been done. The Google News service, which debuted in 2002, scans some 4,500 news outlets and highlights the top stories under common categories such as world and sports. Many stories carry a small image, or thumbnail, along with the headline and the first sentence or two. Visitors can click on the headline to read the full story at the source Web site. Yahoo Inc. has a similar service and pays some news sources, including AFP and The Associated Press, for rights. In a statement, Google spokesman Steve Langdon said Web sites can request removal though most “want to be included in Google News because they believe it is a benefit to them and their readers.” AFP’s own Web site includes a “robots.txt” file that spurns search engines, essentially telling them to avoid indexing its news pages. The case is complicated by the fact that the stories come not directly from AFP but from its subscribers, some of which might want the rest of their sites indexed to generate ad-boosting referrals. The fair use argument will likely draw upon a 2002 appeals court ruling that thumbnail images serve a different, transformative function as compared to full-size originals. Chafles D. Ossola, who handled that appeal on behalf of the copyright holder, said that ruling may not apply to the use of text, given that summaries can be rewritten wjiereas images cannot for search purposes. A 1985 Supreme Court ruling on a non-Internet copyright dispute found that small excerpts can constitute infringement if they represent the heart of the work. AFP argues that the headline and the first sentence of a story copstitute such an essence. “They capture the reader’s attention and describe what the rest of the article is about,” the lawsuit said. AP spokesman Jack Stokes came out in AFP’s support, issuing a statement that AP believes “intellectual property laws protect news.” That said, facts cannot be copyrighted, and Google may have a claim on such citations if they are mosdy based on facts not expression, said Fred von Lohmann, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group in San Francisco. Von Lohmann said a ruling against Google also could harm the exchange of ideas on blogs, which often cite and link to news stories. The AFP case is not the only lawsuit challenging a search engine’s practices. A Web site that sells nude photos of women has sued Google, accusing it of distributing links and passwords. Several companies also have sued Google and others over the use of trademarks as keywords for triggering a rival’s ads. “They are becoming multimedia centers rather than simply indexing information for consumers,” said Ossola, who represents Geico Corp. in one such trademark case against Google. “The argument of convenience and benefits to consumers only goes so far when it runs into what are the legitimate rights” of intellectual property owners. ■ SORENSEN Continued from page 1 to discuss gift-naminj opportunities and the need foi contributions. “To wind up the day, I alway: have a reception for alumni anc friends of the university where i give them a ‘what’s going on’ at th< university and thank them foi support, while convincing therr that * we need more support,’ Sorensen said. As an effort to showcase USC Sorensen said the Bow Tie Bus Tour is an immense success but that he also takes advantage of local opportunities to exhibit the university. The 2005 Scholar Day on Saturday exhibited the university to approximately 700 prospective scholar students from around the state. “They had a sign saying ‘From 10-11 meet the president by the pool,’ so I had a huge line of people shaking my hand, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many people, how many of them, said, ‘This is such a great place,’” he said. Sorensen said he had heard visitors express admiration for the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center, the Colonial Center, the Horseshoe, Steve Spurrier and the local population in general. “I don’t want us to lose that as we become more imminent in terms of our students, faculty and research.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecoeknenvMgam.se. edu * " 1 . Hop on in to check out our | March Specials:] Spring Spedols! wmmm• v • • ^MILL ^ AT use Call Right NowTo | Make the most of your summer with transferable credit and low tuition. College Students- Save money and earn ■ \ /[*A\ W your degree faster by taking summer IVllUIuI iCo courses at Midlands Technical College. k dwdinical 1 Ask your advisor about transferring (^njlprfp MTC credits to your four-year institution. Want to see AMECOCK printedfive days a week? Let us know. Call 777-3914 or e-mail gamecockeditor@gwm.sc.edu. Summer’s coming & that means you’ll be going. You don’t have to lug everything home. Store your items @ Shurgard this summer and they’ll be right here when _ you get back next semester! Reserve Your Space TODAY! CALL 765-1616 $ 10 off a purchase of $25 or more! Valid at Shurgard of Rosewood Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 4-30-05. SHURGARD 1305 Rosewood Drive Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Offer applies to 1st Full Month’s Rent ONLY. Valid at Shurgard of Rosewood Only with new rental; Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 4-30-05. SHURGA |1 1305 Rosewood Drive Columbia, South Carolina 29201 CALL US AT 765-1616 SHURGARD SELF ST 0*R AGE :i