INTERNET LAW - Google Shifts Gears to Avoid Copyright Challenges Overseas

Google is taking measures overseas to avoid the legal battles on alleged copyright infringement faced at home. The company recently settled a lawsuit with Paris-based news agency Agence France-Presse, struck deals with the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Chelsea Football Club as well as with Spanish TV channel Antena 3, and sat down to negotiate with executives of Spanish TV channels Telecinco and Cuatro on the use of their content.

 "Google has shifted gears from its historical position that it can grab whatever it wants without permission, and has made a lot of efforts [recently] to build bridges with content owners," law professor Eric Goldman said during an interview with the IDG News Service.

 Goggle executives have said they will create a new product to use AFP material, but have declined to comment on whether they will pay the wire service for the material. Wire services depend on subscriber fees to operate. Google reportedly pays news agency the Associated Press to use its material.

 The search and online advertising company has already entered into agreements with Antena 3, the BBC and the Chelsea to host their video channels in YouTube, the video-sharing service owned by Google. Experts say these agreements enable a global audience to enjoy popular Antena 3, BBC and Chelsea content. Google also has in place a partnership with the globally popular National Basketball Association, better known as the NBA. 

 Telecinco and Cuatro executives have reportedly asked Google to eliminate pirated versions of programs from YouTube. The companies are said to be also negotiating agreements with Google to only include in YouTube clips of their most popular programs and news bulletins to drive traffic to the networks.  

 In the United States, Google faces a lawsuit filed by Viacom - owner of MTV - seeking $1 billion in damages. The U.S. media company is asking the court to prevent YouTube from airing unauthorized Viacom videos. Google removes unauthorized videos as soon as it's notified, but critics say the search engine is unable to keep up with the massive uploading of infringing content. Viacom has filed the lawsuit after failing to reach an agreement on this matter with Google. Viacom has also recently announced a multi-year search marketing deal with Google competitor Yahoo!