Microsoft challenged over publishing newspaper content

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 18-Oct-06, 10:08

LONDON - Microsoft is in talks with the European copyright organisation, which last month won a court action against Google for publishing French-language newspaper content online.

The software giant is negotiating with Copiepresse, the body that handles copyright for the French and German-speaking press in Belgium, after receiving a cease and desist letter.

Copiepresse argues that some search engines are profiting in ad revenue by posting its newspapers' content online.

"Microsoft confirms that it has received a cease and desist letter from Copiepresse and is in the process of reviewing it," the company said in a statement. "Until that process is complete, we cannot comment any further."

Google was on the receiving end of similar action earlier in the year, after a Belgian court ruled that it should stop publishing stories or face massive fines. Google is currently appealing the ruling. It is also being targeted by a similar lawsuit by Agence France-Presse.

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