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France Mulls 'Google Tax '

Levy on ad revenue would be used to bolster music, film, media

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2010 1:24 AM CST

(Newser) – France is considering helping out industries hit hard by the digital revolution by slapping a tax on Google and other search portals. The proposal, outlined in a government-commissioned report, calls for a share of ad revenue to be turned over to the music, film, and publishing industries. The tax would end the search firms' "enrichment without end and compensation," notes one of the report's authors.

First lady Carla Bruni has reportedly emphasized how file-sharing hurts artists to her husband, and her producer is among the report's authors, the Telegraph reports. Google is, unsurprisingly, not a fan of the proposal. More tax on Internet advertising "could slow down innovation," explained a company representative, who argued that better business models represent the best future for cultural industries.

[Images (1)]

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Google and other search portals have profited unfairly from illegal file-sharing, according to a French report. (Getty Images)

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The world of culture is not only turned upside-down but profoundly threatened by the development of the Internet, and we hope that our action doesn't intervene too late. - French music producer
and report co-author Patrick Zelnik

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

2-bits

Jan 8, 2010 8:04 AM CST

"Name your band or song or album common words to ake file sharing harder." Sorry, but that's really, really lame. Imagine *favorite artist* being interviewed: Why did you name your new single "Twilight: New Moon"? Oh, no reason, I'm just terrified of pirates to the extent that I let if affect my creativity.

2-bits

Jan 8, 2010 7:50 AM CST

Let's see how much longer we can keep the troglodytes around for our amusement. Great idea France.

KurtRambis4va

Jan 8, 2010 7:36 AM CST

Innovation, like the guy said...If something doesn't work, change the way it i to make it work. Make better music. Name your band or song or album common words to ake file sharing harder. Try downloading The XX album or The The without getting a million hits

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World • Entertainment • Money • Technology

Google • music industry • France • file sharing • search engine • Internet advertising • Carla Bruni • publishing industry • taxation

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France Mulls 'Google Tax '