The European Newspaper Publishers' Association has issued a statement in which it outlines its concerns regarding the expansion of news aggregators' activities in the field of online news using newspapers' content. The association is particularly concerned by the introduction of advertising on Google News. ENPA represents over 5,200 European newspapers.

The ENPA states is belief that "respect for copyright legislation by Google and others based on right holders' prior consent (opt-in) is essential to ensure a proper basis for discussions and partnerships between news aggregators and newspaper publishers" and calls attention to ACAP, a World Association of Newspapers-backed solution that gives publishers more control over their online content.

For the ENPA, the recent announcement to start advertising on Google News is particularly problematic. In February, the decision to start placing contextually relevant ads alongside search results on US Google News was made, and in March, the aggregator made a deal with several European news agencies to start hosting their content, with ads. It is not clear whether Google intends to expand ads into its international Google News. ENPA's objections are that the move would definitely affect newspapers' advertising revenues and create obstacles to any possible partnerships with Google "based on trust and respect of rules." Google had previously assured publishers that Google News would not feature advertisements, and the ENPA believes that such a move sends "a very negative signal that there is no intention by Google to negotiate in an open and fair basis with newspaper publishers.

"Newspaper publishers represented through ENPA therefore call for the respect of newspaper content, protected by copyright legislation and for fair competition as regards editorial content and advertising," the statement declares. It also encourages newspaper publishers "to consider all legal and other means to ensure that Google understands the harm it is causing to readers, journalists and other employees and its impact in the industry, democracy and employment."

It seems that some publishers are in fact already in talks with Google. Following reports that the Washington Post was collaborating with Google, it emerged that the New York Times was also likely to be talking with the search engine, possibly discussing a way to help the NYT get a cut of ad revenue when other sites use its content. A group of publishers and a Silicon Valley start-up called Attributor have created the Fair Syndication Consortium to help all publishers push for a similar ad revenue share. Will publishers and Google be able to come to an satisfactory agreement?

Source: ENPA press release