engine - 11:46 am on Jul 12, 2007 (gmt 0)

Google Inc., owner of the world's most-used Internet search engine, is being sued by the Australian government on allegations that advertising links on its Web site mislead consumers. The search company is accused of displaying links to the Web site of Trading Post Australia Pty Ltd. that included the names of two rivals of the online retailer, suggesting a business relationship existed when there wasn't one, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said today in a statement on its Web site. The Federal Court in Sydney will begin hearings on the case on Aug. 21, the regulator said.

Google Is Sued By Australian Regulator for Misleading Links [bloomberg.com]