Microsoft to Attack Google Over Copyright Cavalierism

Microsoft will launch a venomous attack on rival Google today for what it calls Google's 'cavalier' approach to copyright protection. In a speech prepared to be given before the Association of American Publishers [AAP], Microsoft attorney Thomas Rubin argues that Google's success has been at the expense of real content providers such as book publishers, video makers, and software authors. "Companies that create no content of their own, and make money solely on the backs of other people’s content, are raking in billions through advertising revenue... Google takes the position that everything may be freely copied unless the copyright owner notifies Google and tells it to stop," says Rubin. He calls Google's interpretation of 'fair use' overly broad. His arguments largely echo accusations at the heart of a 16-month-old lawsuit filed against Google by five book publishers and organized by the AAP (the lawsuit is currently in the discovery process with no trial date). In response, Google VP David Drummond said Google complies with international copyright laws, and brings added exposure and revenue to authors, publishers and producers of content.

Sources: CNET News, New York Times
Commentary: Google Comes Under Fire For Alleged Support Of Pirated Content • Mark Cuban: YouTube's Copyright Infringement is Arrogant • Publishers sue Google over book search project [CNET news]
Stocks/ETFs to watch: Google Inc. (GOOG), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)

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Comments

[Hayweed]

If you can't compete then complain appears to be the new MSFT way.

[Scott Berry]

Interesting. Hasn't MS made all it's money on the back of other people's innovations? Can you say Mac? Or even Xerox PARC? Sheesh.