Microsoft would love it if you’d jump on board the Google smear campaign. They’re trying to tarnish what many people believe is a “do no wrong” company. The software company is arguing that Google, who creates no content of its own, is making money off of other people’s content often without permission. Specifically, Microsoft points to the Google Books project which is trying to index every book published. Those publishers or writers who don’t want to participate in Google’s indexing efforts have to opt-out which according to Microsoft is the opposite of its book indexing projects, Live Search Academic and Live Search Books, which appear to be opt-in.
Microsoft points to all the copy infringement on YouTube right now and Google’s inability to come through on its promises of pulling the stuff down or have a more efficient monitoring system in place. Google responds that they are making deals with book publishers and TV networks. That’s true, but they’re not making deals with everyone.
And a clarification from news that hit the wires yesterday. Cisco did not but the community site Tribe.net. They have purchased the social networking software which they plan on integrating into their own products.
And lastly, it looks like Microsoft won’t be coughing up $1.5 billion to Alcatel-Lucent for the MP3 patent dispute. A federal judged ruled Microsoft wasn’t violating a patent. We’ll see what happens with the appeals.
Disclosure: Microsoft is a client of Spark Media Solutions.
