Copiepresse 1 : Google 0
Ok, so Google was sued by Copiepresse in Belgium over Google News. Google didn't bother to appear at the hearing in September 2006, and the Belgian court ruled against them (silly Google if they were repeating Spamhaus's mistake in taking the attitude that "we don't live in that country so who gives a hoot").
Uh oh, says Google, perhaps we'd better go for a rehearing. Google got their rehearing, then lost again anyway.
Associated Press:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BELGIUM_GOOGLE_VS_NEWSPAPERS?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Yes, you can say "it's only Belgium" but what many people fail to consider is that the Courts do pay attention to decisions that are being made around the world in cases similar to those they are trying in their country. It is dangerously simplistic to say "it didn't happen here, it doesn't matter".
BTW, this isn't the first news service to go after Google for copyright infringement - anybody remember AFP?
http://news.com.com/2100-1025_3-6095656.html