German publishing group VG Media sues Google for the 5th time, this time over copyright of content search engine results

Three of the four cases it has filed against Google has been resolved in the favor of the search engine giant, and the last is still pending. However, that has not stopped VG Media, a group of German publishers, from launching another lawsuit, this time citing a German copyright law that apparently entitles content owners, newspaper and magazine publishers, and other media platforms payment every time their articles come out in a search engine result.

Search Engine Land discusses Germany's Ancillary Copyright Law which was passed in 2013 and which other media practitioners and observers have deemed as "restrictive" or "draconian".  This copyright law, which was spearheaded by German publishers, limits the content from newspapers and other print publications that search engines can bring up on the results page. Anything excessive beyond what the law allows entitles the German publisher whose content was cited certain licensing fees.  Search Engine Land opines that root behind the passing of the copyright law was the declining advertising revenues being suffered by traditional print media in Germany, a trend that the publishers blame on Google and other search engines.

According to Thrive, VG Media has not yet named a number for its lawsuit. However, precedents could peg the award being sought for as close to 11 percent share of Google's revenues. 

Marketing Dive notes that only profitable online enterprises like Google have come under the target of the German publishers. However, the smaller search engine companies would be wise to exercise caution at this point, as this case, although still in its inception, can set a legal precedent.

Search Engine Land observes that other countries in Europe such as Spain had followed Germany's lead and set up their own harsh copyright laws. In recent years, as a response to lessen their risk of liability, Google has programmed its search enginen results in these countries to just show the titles and not actual sentences from the actual article.

Google has yet released an official release or statement as of press time.

Tags

VG Media, copyright, search engine results, Ancillary Copyright Law

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