Google Images: EU Commish opens new front against Chocolate Factory

Image copyrights being investigated

[tangor]

In its latest round of questions sent to rivals regarding the activities and workings of Google, the European Commission has turned the spotlight on the search giant’s image grabbing facilities.

Its most recent questionnaires (RFIs, or requests for information) contain five pages of detailed questions on the issue, revealed one recipient to El Reg this week.

One question asks if companies can exert control over the use of their images on Google Images “without the need to entirely prohibit their use”. The source described Google’s activity as a “systematic disrespect of copyright as an anti-competitive weapon”.

[theregister.co.uk...]

Looks like the EU is asking G the tough questions on images and copyrights thereof.

[Leosghost]

Oh ..At last ...I'm rooting for the EU ( and all of us image creators ) on this one.. :)

[tangor]

In chats today (last night) it seems that a few others, besides Getty, are involved. Two French (one that I know personally), a German and Spaniard are members of the complaint. All are fashion photographers and do celebrities on the side. I suspect others are lurking in the complaint as well. The email I got from my French friend was joyous that action had begun, but her language was so peppery I can't share those comments as the WW filter would go nutz. :)

This I am pleased to see from the EU, even though some of their recent stuff has been less than stellar (right to be forgotten), this action is direct and immediate and to the core of the copyright problem.

I can generally DMCA theft of my TEXT, but have not been as successful in the theft of my art and photos. Waiting to see how this plays out and whether it will have any traction with American politicians. (Disclaimer, I am an American)

[jmccormac]

This should spark off a debate here. There are some who have been badly affected by Google's plundering of their website images.

Regards...jmcc