trees

Feeds

Tech Semantic Web and Linked Data Tech Semantic Web and Linked Data
Tech Coding the Web and Software Tech Coding the Web and Software
Tech General News Tech General News
Knowledge Man and Eng Knowledge Man and Eng
Friends Friends
Newspapers Newspapers
Politics UK and Ireland Politics UK and Ireland
Politics EU and International Politics EU and International
Religion Christian Religion Christian
Religion Interfaith and Universalism Religion Interfaith and Universalism
 «  Expand/Collapse

Tech Eye - Latest technology headlines

  • Permalink for 'France fines Google for free maps'

    France fines Google for free maps

    Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:27am UTC by Nick Farrell

    A French map maker which charges companies to use its maps has won its case against Google Maps for offering them for free.

    Bottin Cartographes made stacks of cash charging customers to use its maps but suddenly saw its business drop when Google Maps started offering them for free.

    It went to a French court and claimed that Google was trying to gain control of the market by undercutting existing French map providers, then start charging. It has a point. In the US that is exactly what Google has done, but at the time of the court case - which was nearly two years ago - no one knew this.

    According to IT World,  the court decided that if Google wanted to enter the market it would have to charge for its products. The French judge banged the gravel and fined the search engine €515,000.

    Needless to say, Google is a bit annoyed, and rather than think that it is lucky to have escaped without a trip to see Madame Guillotine, it plans to appeal.