French-language Belgian papers back on Google after 6 years

French-language Belgian newspapers were back on Google Friday after a six-year absence sparked by a bitter dispute over copywright with the US Internet search giant.

A difference of opinion over the terms of the accord reached last month had been solved, said Margaret Boribon, head of the Copiepresse industry body, allowing all the dailies to get back onto Google News.

"There was just a little problem with (economic daily) L'Echo but as of Friday morning, all the newspapers are back on," Boribon said.

"The agreement is working out as planned," she added.

In December, the two sides reached a compromise whereby Google agreed to purchase advertising space in the newspapers which in turn agreed to buy key-word links on the search engine.

The newspapers failed to get Google to pay for the use of their content but Copiepresse said it opted to take what was on offer after the dispute had affected visibility and advertising revenue for an industry badly hit by the economic slump.

In contrast in neighbouring France, a similar dispute rumbles on, with Paris last month giving Google and the press another month to reach a solution.

(c) 2013 AFP