From a blog post by Google:
But sadly, as a result of a new Spanish law, we’ll shortly have to close Google News in Spain. Let me explain why. This new legislation requires every Spanish publication to charge services like Google News for showing even the smallest snippet from their publications, whether they want to or not. As Google News itself makes no money (we do not show any advertising on the site) this new approach is simply not sustainable. So it’s with real sadness that on 16 December (before the new law comes into effect in January) we’ll remove Spanish publishers from Google News, and close Google News in Spain.
Are there are trade rules that could help Google here? A GATS commitment, maybe? Anything about forced licensing of copyright in the TRIPS Agreement?
And if Google has an investment in Spain, are there any BITs that could be of use?
Will this come up in the TTIP?
