Google Dominant

Fifteen years ago, Google was only a project in the minds of two young entrepreneurs. Today it is the most popular search engine on the internet. Every day nearly 1.1 billion people use it – 60 percent of those with an internet connection. This success has led to the continued growth of Google, allowing it to buy iconic electronics-era firms like the handset maker Motorola and the video portal YouTube, and has boosted it to a dominant position in its industry.

The strength of Google, like so many things in life, has its dark side. For example, the use of content generated by quality media results in economic benefits that do not go, even partially, to the authors. Belgian newspaper publishers recently sued for recognition of their rights. It was in vain: Google did not agree to pay them and excluded them from its search engine.

Now there’s a new complaint, this time with broad European support, which could bear fruit. In fact, now there are leading companies already showing greater sensitivity to this issue – for example, Microsoft. Its new operating system, Windows 8, which will be available tomorrow, includes coordinated information service with quality media that will receive a share of revenue from its dissemination. That certainly seems a more fair and reasonable option, one that Google can and should share.