ACAP responds to Google

ACAP chairman Gavin O'Reilly – also chairman of the World Association of Newspapers – said, “It's rather strange for Google to be telling publishers what they should think about robots.txt, when publishers worldwide – across all sectors – have already and clearly told Google that they fundamentally disagree. If Google's reason for not (apparently) supporting ACAP is built on its own commercial self-interest, then it should say so, and not glibly throw mistruths about.

“Publishers have specifically requested that Google respect the rights of content creators – which is a fairly uncontroversial request.”

Continued O'Reilly, “Google should reflect on the fact that after 12 months of intensive cross industry consideration and active development – in which Google has been party to – publishers have identified not only the patent inadequacies of robots.txt, but more progressively have come up with a practical, open and workable solution for publishers and content aggregators.

“So, we – once again – call upon Google to embrace ACAP and to readily acknowledge the right of content owners to determine how their content is used.”

For more information on ACAP, go to www.the-acap.org. Frequently asked questions are available at www.the-acap.org/faqs.php.