Thread: Google Tax?

Germany is considering legislation that would impose a tax on search engines (generally called a "Google Tax") paid *each* time the search engine links to media content -- such as news articles and photographs. The premise is supposedly driven by copyright restrictions.

German Parliament sends 'Google Tax' to committee

What are your thoughts about that being suggested here?

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My thought is if based upon copyright protections, how would that not apply to EVERY site that comes up in a google (or bing, or yahoo, etc.) search? All sites have their own copyright owned content -- including this one.

Personally, I do hope that this does not pass as I do believe that it would limit our ability to learn about news stories; to perform a search to find out how to get that stain out of the couch; or find out who was wrong on the internet today. (Kim -- if I could, I'd personally buy you all those t-shirts you found for the "Debate Team! LOL)

I agree completely. I am not in favor of this tax. I think it will severely limit many people's access to news (me included as I don't always have the time to sit and watch the local/national and world news on tv and I rarely commute so no radio).

That would hurt everyone except the government...so it'd probably pass here. I don't think it's acceptable. Publishers that think it's going to help them have to be stupid. I just don't understand people. Google will simply quit operating where it's not profitable.

The UN is also preparing to vote on a similar bill.

I dont get it. How is directing someone to your site against copyright?