📰 New article from TorrentFreak
Publishers: Google’s Ebook Ad “Ban” Blocked Legitimate Sellers, Not Pirates
https://torrentfreak.com/publishers-googles-ebook-ad-ban-blocked-legitimate-sellers-not-pirates/
### The “Anti-Piracy” Ban That Only Hit the Good Guys
It turns out that trying to stop piracy with a blunt instrument can sometimes backfire spectacularly. In a recent legal showdown, major publishers are accusing Google of a massive blunder: implementing an ebook ad policy that effectively ghosted legitimate sellers while leaving the door wide open for pirates.
Back in 2021, Google implemented a ban on ebook ads to curb copyright infringement. However, according to a new court filing from heavyweights like Macmillan and McGraw Hill, the “ban” didn’t actually stop the pirates—it just blocked the legitimate stores from advertising their licensed copies. The result? Users were left staring at ads for pirated textbooks right at the top of their search results.
The publishers aren’t just complaining about bad luck; they’re alleging “inducement.” Their argument is punchy:
- Targeted Advertising: They claim Google isn’t just a passive bulletin board, but a sophisticated agency actively targeting users with links to pirate sites.
- Ignored Warnings: The publishers say they sent hundreds of notices identifying specific infringing ads, only for Google to allegedly flag them as “duplicative.”
Google is trying to get the case tossed, arguing their platform is a neutral tool that also sells plenty of legal goods (like garden hoses). But the publishers aren’t buying it. They argue that just because Google sells legitimate products doesn’t give them a free pass to run ads for stolen books. We’ll have to wait and see if the court agrees.