Following the Belgian-Google case, a group of publishers are planning to test a system called "Automated Content Access Protocol" for granting permission on how to use their content. Reuters reported that a group of publishers are working together in order to prevent Google from indexing their content. And believe it or not they are all set to spend $583,700 to seek advice from third-party experts for the same.
"Since search engine operators rely on robotic 'spiders' to manage their automated processes, publishers' Web sites need to start speaking a language which the operators can teach their robots to understand," according to a document seen by Reuters that outlines the publishers' plans."
"What is required is a standardized way of describing the permissions which apply to a Web site or Web page so that it can be decoded by a dumb machine without the help of an expensive lawyer."
"This system is intended to remove completely any rights conflicts between publishers and search engines," added O'Reilly, who is also the chief operating officer of Independent News & Media.
Oddly, publishers are ready to spend so much when Google as it is offers a way for publishers to have their content removed. Though otherwise according to the courts the way search engines work is absolutely legal, in the ongoing legal proceedings (Belgian court ruling against Google) it has been argued that Google violates copyright law. Google has appealed the decision and maintains that any publisher can withdraw its content by asking to do so.
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