In order to avoid the legal wrangle Google has found themselves in, MSN has sent lawyers to meet with the publishers to facilitate a quick removal of all of the groups' materials. The Belgian publishers claim that Google has unfairly been using the content of their newspaper websites in order to generate advertising revenue, even though the content (though copyrighted) is freely available to view and download on the publishing groups' website. In a further display of inscrutable decision making, the group has also now demanded that if Google wish to index their sites, they must pay them a pay-per-click fee each time one of their news sites is accessed. Google has appealed the decision, and are set to start arguing the case on November 24th.
This shows a singular lack of understanding of the way search engines work - 91% of online users use search engines and Google holds a large European market share. What the publishers seem to be failing to understand is that Google is akin to a very large, free, internet-based directory with a fantastic search functionality which does not cost anything to be listed in - and, crucially, which everyone in the world with an internet connection can see.
To demand to be paid for the privilege of having sites included is somewhat of a novel strategy to take with a company which has no obligation to include any sites if it feels that it doesn't care to, and has provoked speculation of a mass search-engine exodus away from Copiepresse. This situation threatens to leave the Copiepresse sites high and dry in the vast uncharted (unindexed) wastes of the web. Currently, Google has jumped ship, MSN is currently undergoing discussions, and it cannot be long before other engines follow suit one way or the other.
The publishers claim that all they want is a "win-win situation". With search engines having previously driven large volumes of traffic driven to them for no cost, it remains to be seen what they think their new situation could possibly be. Certainly, this reporter can't help but think of a certain man named Ned Ludd and his merry band which railed against perceived injustices of new industrial practices way back in the mists of time (OK, OK: in the 1810s).
Considering the effort that very many people go to in order to make sure that their websites are optimised efficiently and appear highly in the SERP listings, many people are having a hard time understanding Copiepresses' reticence in the matter.
