Google Fined $271 Million Over Failed Agreements With French News Publishers

Google just got slapped with a $271 million fine for failing to broker agreements with French news publishers, as reported by Bloomberg.

According to the publishers, Google published links to their content without seeking their consent and plundered their press content to promote its AI technology. This is not the first time Google has been fined for such an offense. In 2021, the technology giant was charged with a $589 million fine from the French Competition Authority (FCA) for the same reason.

This fine underscores a recurring challenge for AI companies like Google in navigating the complex landscape of intellectual property rights and content distribution.

Meanwhile, the French Competition Authority has been proactive in advocating for press publishers' rights, emphasizing the importance of tech companies in negotiating fair agreements for content usage, aligning with the European Union's Copyright Directive.