Over 40 German publishers have submitted complaints to media regulator Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein (MA HSH) about Google News Showcase (GNS), a publication platform for news articles. The complaints refer specifically to publishers’ online offers allegedly being discriminated against when accessing the GNS, as well as the lack of disclosure of certain access conditions. The MA HSH has asked Google to clarify these facts for examination, in order to initiate a formal supervisory procedure if necessary.
The MA HSH focuses on ensuring the diversity of opinion, and the Federal Cartel Office concluded antitrust proceedings against Google at the end of 2022. The Federal Cartel Office demanded that Google implement non-discriminatory access measures to their platform in the coming weeks. However, publishers, specifically those belonging to collecting society Corint Media, do not feel that they have received unhindered access. Google has also faced criticism regarding appropriate compensation for copyrights due to the revised copyright law in Germany.
The implementation of the ancillary copyright is still in its infancy, with different models being proposed. Google has signed contracts directly with publications, while Corint Media relies on a non-individual solution that distributes a total amount to its members. The Bundeskartellamt, a government agency responsible for competition regulation, currently sees no further need for action regarding non-discriminatory access to GNS. However, they do observe the implementation of measures and further developments relating to Google News Showcase and ancillary copyright law.
It is important to note that heise online, a German news publication, is one of the publishers taking part in Google News Showcase.
