Google removes media content from news site

Internet search giant Google has been ordered by a Belgian court to remove all articles, photos and graphics from Belgian publishing group Copiepress from its news site.

The move follows a Belgian court ruling which first became public Monday that ordered Google to stop reproducing the media content on its news web site because it is in breach of author's rights and Belgian databank regulations.

Under the judgement handed down Sep 8, the Brussels' court ruled Google must pay one million euro ($1.26 million) fine daily if it does not comply.

The court argued that the way in which Google News operates was causing publishers "to lose control of their web sites and their contents".

Google called the judgement "entirely unnecessary", arguing that the company's policy is to remove any newspaper's content from its index if asked.

"There is no need for legal action and all the associated costs," the internet search giant said in a statement.

The case was brought by Copiepresse, which represents French and German language papers in Belgium including "Le Soir", "Libre Belgique" and "La Derniere Heure".