Microsoft Stabs Google Right in the Copyright

The software giant, Microsoft, started its invasion on another giant, the number one search engine Google. The officials from Microsoft state that the leading search engine takes a cavalier approach to copyright protection.

The associate general counsel of Microsoft, Thomas Rubin, prepared a special remark to the Association of American Publishers. He argued that the idea of Google to get involved into the media markets is a wrong move since it comes at the expense of publishers.

Mr. Rubin stated that companies that do no create their own content, making money on the backs of the real authors, are amongst those with a billion dollar revenue.

Microsoft's general counsel mentioned that Google feels quite free to copy someone's works and it continues to do so until the real author asks the company to stop. Thus, according to Rubin, Google performs illegal actions and only afterwards asks for permission, which is not what Microsoft does. The software corporation asks permission in first place.

The rivalry between two titans is getting more intense, especially when Microsoft looks forward to get actively involved in the Web search market.

The software giant provides criticism like the one the search engine company faced when it acquired YouTube. At that period Google was attacked by media companies because YouTube allowed uploading videos that were protected by the copyright law.

Rubin argued that Google ensures authors and copyright owners that their works are protected, and in addition to that the company says it will promote those works. According to Rubin, Google is not quite sincere about the statements it makes.

In response to Rubin's attacks the senior vice president for corporate development of Google, David Drummond, who is also the company's chief legal officer, stated that the number one search engine worked with more than ten thousands publishing partners so to be able to make books available on-line. He mentioned that YouTube's new video partners now include BBC and N.B.A.

Mr. Drummond said that Google performs all its actions by complying with international copyright laws. The result of the company's activity, according to Drummond, is more exposure and in most cases even more revenue for copyright owners, authors, publishers, as well as content producers.

The dispute is more likely to continue but the aim of both titans is quite clear – the two look towards making more profit. However, this goal is achieved differently – Google makes partnerships and Microsoft hopes to make its competitors stumble.
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