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Dutch anti-piracy body sued Google in order to obtain personal details of a Google user, who is alleged of selling “pirate” eBooks on Google Play. Google refused to disclose the user's identity.
The General Publishers Group (GAU), representing the dozens of book publishers in the Netherlands, recently found out that some of its clients’ electronic books were being sold illegally on Google Play – of course, cheaper than the official versions. The books were being sold under the fictitious publisher name of Flamanca Hollanda/Dragonletebooks.
GAU complained to the local anti-piracy body BREIN for investigation. Its partnership with BREIN is ongoing for 5 years already. While GAU’s members complained about the growing availability of pirated titles, BREIN confirmed that they chose a right way and referred to strong anti-piracy measures in order to protect creativity. Apparently, after partnering with BREIN, the publishers have found an ally with a lot of know how in the fight against online piracy. So, BREIN reported the illegal seller to Google. The tech giant immediately removed the rogue account, thus effectively preventing further illegal sales.
The publishers admitted that Google appeared to be taking steps to prevent illegal sellers from offering rogue material in its Play store, while the anti-piracy group was trying to reveal the identity of the unauthorized seller from Google. However, Google refused to comply without a court order. This is why BREIN went to court. The anti-piracy group argued in the Court of The Hague that the pirate wasn’t just a user of Google, but in fact a commercial partner of Google Play, which means that both sides profited from those sales.
BREIN made a statement when presenting its case, saying that there was copyright infringement carried out by an anonymous commercial partner of Google’s Play store. Indeed, Google calls the sellers “partners” in its own terms of use. Therefore, the anti-piracy group says that the tech giant is responsible for the illegal distribution and sales carried out via its own popular service.
BREIN insisted that nobody has the right to anonymously sell illegal stuff – even on Google Play while Google earns money.
The General Publishers Group (GAU), representing the dozens of book publishers in the Netherlands, recently found out that some of its clients’ electronic books were being sold illegally on Google Play – of course, cheaper than the official versions. The books were being sold under the fictitious publisher name of Flamanca Hollanda/Dragonletebooks.
GAU complained to the local anti-piracy body BREIN for investigation. Its partnership with BREIN is ongoing for 5 years already. While GAU’s members complained about the growing availability of pirated titles, BREIN confirmed that they chose a right way and referred to strong anti-piracy measures in order to protect creativity. Apparently, after partnering with BREIN, the publishers have found an ally with a lot of know how in the fight against online piracy. So, BREIN reported the illegal seller to Google. The tech giant immediately removed the rogue account, thus effectively preventing further illegal sales.
The publishers admitted that Google appeared to be taking steps to prevent illegal sellers from offering rogue material in its Play store, while the anti-piracy group was trying to reveal the identity of the unauthorized seller from Google. However, Google refused to comply without a court order. This is why BREIN went to court. The anti-piracy group argued in the Court of The Hague that the pirate wasn’t just a user of Google, but in fact a commercial partner of Google Play, which means that both sides profited from those sales.
BREIN made a statement when presenting its case, saying that there was copyright infringement carried out by an anonymous commercial partner of Google’s Play store. Indeed, Google calls the sellers “partners” in its own terms of use. Therefore, the anti-piracy group says that the tech giant is responsible for the illegal distribution and sales carried out via its own popular service.
BREIN insisted that nobody has the right to anonymously sell illegal stuff – even on Google Play while Google earns money.