French Publishers Win against American Tech-Giant Google

Oftentimes we notice on the common man’s most preferred search engine, Google that as soon as we press the search button after jotting down the required information, certain excerpts of new articles or blogs with respect to such information are displayed to us. Those news excerpts are commonly regarded as Snippets and are solely highlighted by Google search engine to make our research uncomplicated and speedy. Little did the leaders of Google know that this attempt of exhibiting Snippets would bark back at them amounting to whooping payments.

Even before official implementation of the European Union (EU) Copyright Reform of 2019, the press and news publishers in Europe tried to formulate various negotiations with Google. Much to their shock, Google announced in September 2019, that it has decided to refrain from displaying and publishing snippets rather than entering into licensing agreements with the publishers. This announcement aggrieved the publishing houses and therefore, they filed a complaint on the basis that Google was abusing its dominant market position as best-loved search engine. They further alleged that such an act amounts to unfair trade practice along with an intent to outwit the law. 

Such a behavior by this American multinational technology company was also detected in countries like Spain and Germany, wherein this technology-giant outrightly refused to publish news snippets belonging to any publisher in contrast with engaging itself in any sort of licensing agreement. However, certain German-based publishers had to adhere with no-fee publication policy by Google due to a drop in viewership.

After months of hues and cries, France’s watchdog for copyright, The Autorité de la Concurrence directed Google to enter into proper negotiations “in good faith” with the French Publishers. They further directed that such negotiations with regard to licensing agreements must be wrapped up within a time frame of three months along with Google’s obligation to present monthly follow-up reports to the Autorité. Moreover, the resolute terms and conditions shall have retrospective effect beginning from the official launch of the EU Copyright Reforms.  

The Autorité’s chief, Isabelle de Silva said, “It was found that Google's practices vis-à-vis publishers and news agencies were likely to constitute an abuse of a dominant position.” It was added in the official statement that, “Google caused serious and immediate damage to the press sector.” In response Google’s Vice President, Richard Gingras commented, “We will comply with the order while we review it and continue those negotiations.”

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