Germans seek expert review on Google tax

Last updated 14:40 01/12/2012

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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."

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- AP

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