Google launches campaign in Germany against proposed law that could establish fees for content

The Associated Press

BERLIN - Google is launching a new campaign in Germany to protest against possible copyright restrictions being discussed in the country's Parliament.

The "Defend Your Web" campaign started Tuesday seeks to mobilize Google users against plans to introduce a so-called "Google Tax". The levy, being pushed by publishers, would require search engines to pay each time they link to media content like newspaper articles or photographs.

In a short online video, Google warns "for more than 10 years you've been able to find what you are looking for — a planned law would change that." It also provides written information and urges people to sign an online petition.

Google also plans newspaper and magazine ads.

___

The Google campaign video can be seen at: http://google.de/DeinNetz/