Google, the successful internet search engine based in the US, is facing a challenge from publishers based in Europe. Carlos Astiz, leader of the Spanish Publishers’ Association (AEPP) said on February 9 in Madrid that he has asked Google to fork over “a proportional amount” of the income it obtains on-line by using material from the various publications. The AEPP represents 149 publishing companies with some 600 outlets.
According to a report in the Spanish press, the actual amount to be paid by Google has yet to be determined but could follow the lead set by German media which have demanded 1.2 million euros per year from the internet giant. Said Astiz, “Without a doubt, Google is getting more and more bad press since it is maintaining a monopoly situation with absolutely onerous conditions.” Astiz said further that Google “keeps 90 percent of all the advertising income on the internet that do not come from porno.” This is income, said Astiz, that does not stay in Spain.
The Spanish association is proposing that publications on the web should receive a proportional amount of the income generated. The actual percentage has yet to be determined. “We would have to sit down and see which is the model to follow, which percentage would be asked by each of the media for the use of its contents by Google News,” said Astiz. He added that this is technically possible.
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