Google could be granted copyright immunity in UK law

Noreen · Jan 12, 2010, 12:42:27

QuoteTime for Rupert Murdoch to mobilise the lobbyists? Search engines would be exempted in UK law from any liability for copyright infringement, under a remarkable amendment (292) proposed to the Digital Economy Bill.

Conservative Lord Lucas is proposing a specific new clause so that...

"Every provider of a publicly accessible website shall be presumed to give a standing and non-exclusive license to providers of search engine services to make a copy of some or all of the content of that website, for the purpose only of providing said search engine services ...

"A provider of search engine services who acts in accordance with this section shall not be liable for any breach of copyright..."

Lucas' amendment, Protection of search engines from liability for copyright infringement", would rewrite the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988............

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/jan/12/google-could-be-granted-copyright-immunity

Rik · Jan 12, 2010, 12:47:33

Common sense reigns!

Lance · Jan 12, 2010, 13:40:52

About time too!

gizmo71 · Jan 12, 2010, 14:16:58

I declare myself a search engine! People are always coming to me and asking questions, after all!

Rik · Jan 12, 2010, 15:34:40

Show me your engine!

D-Dan · Jan 12, 2010, 20:40:49

All well and good, but I'm not so sure it would stand up in court. If, for example, Google UK spidered a US site for content, where would the law be upheld?

Steve

Technical Ben · Jan 12, 2010, 23:11:01

No, as both Google and US company reside in the USA. However, I would guess it stops anyone knocking down your door for using google.
It is a pity that these laws need to be so complicated to cover every eventuality. As it's going to be difficult to tell how much is too much for google to sample. However, with things like google chrome, and cloud computing, it would be stupid to sue google for passing a website through their servers. If a customer views a website directly in the browser, or through google preview feature, it's practically the same thing these days. Suing google would be comparable to suing a granny for listening to music through a hearing aid, as the hearing aid processes the copy righted music illegally!

D-Dan · Jan 12, 2010, 23:13:56

One has to wonder - is this them - and if so - what kind of trouble are they stirring up for themselves.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/b8e45d523021788dd4403b00d0a853ce/compdetails

gizmo71 · Jan 13, 2010, 07:29:00

Quote from: Technical Ben on Jan 12, 2010, 23:11:01
It is a pity that these laws need to be so complicated to cover every eventuality.

They don't.

"Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges." - The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.
Cornelius Tacitus - (55-117 A.D.)

Rik · Jan 13, 2010, 08:58:23

I didn't realise Tac was quite that old.

Technical Ben · Jan 13, 2010, 22:39:59

Quote from: D-Dan on Jan 12, 2010, 23:13:56
One has to wonder - is this them - and if so - what kind of trouble are they stirring up for themselves.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/b8e45d523021788dd4403b00d0a853ce/compdetails

I don't understand that link. Can you elaborate? Seems like a normal phone book search tool with links to company press releases (like share holder announcements etc). Was it suppose to link to a google page?