World

German Parliament sends 'Google Tax' to committee

BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers are sending legislation on possible copyright restrictions on Internet search engines, commonly called the "Google Tax," to an expert committee for further review.

The levy, being pushed by publishers, would require search engines to pay each time they link to media content like newspaper articles or photographs. After a debate that began close to midnight, Parliament said Friday the matter was passed on to its legal committee. There was no immediate word on when the committee may issue recommendations.

Google on Tuesday launched a campaign dubbed "Defend Your Web" aimed at drumming up support to defeat the measure. 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, it says, "would change that."

Related Headlines

  • German Parliament approves Greek debt deal

    German lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a deal aimed at trimming Greece's debt load and keeping the country financially afloat but the country's finance minister insisted it ... 

  • German Parliament approves Cyprus aid package

    The German Parliament on Thursday approved a 10 billion euros ($13 billion) rescue package for Cyprus by a wide margin. Lawmakers voted 487-102 in favor of the bailout deal ... 

  • Putin, Merkel air differences on NGOs

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel confronted Russia's president with her concerns about a crackdown on non-governmental organizations, but Vladimir Putin brushed the issue aside ... 

  • Merkel acknowledges Germans' frustration on Greece

    Chancellor Angela Merkel said she understands the frustration felt by many Germans over the repeated bailout programs for debt-ridden Greece, but insisted they are in her ... 

Find your future job here