Google Chrome: Media Companies Beware
Google's new browser, Chrome, could be a Trojan horse for media companies.
The browser initially struck me as a fantastic leap forward for Web-based journalists. The ability to make a Web page (like your Web site's admin page) a shortcut on your desktop and load up like an application seemed like one that would help journalists and media companies alike. The new JavaScript rendering engine would ensure that the complex admin pages and their functionality would load quickly and respond rapidly.
However, after reading this post from CNET on Chrome's terms of service (TOS), I've become worried.
A well meaning editor could easily download and use Chrome to post content to his/her publication's Web site and unintentionally grant Google a license for that very content.
Here are the passages that specifically concern me:
"9.4 Other than the limited license set forth in
Section 11, Google acknowledges and agrees that it obtains no right, title or interest from you (or your licensors) under these Terms in or to any Content that you submit, post, transmit or display on, or through, the Services, including any intellectual property rights which subsist in that Content (whether those rights happen to be registered or not, and wherever in the world those rights may exist). Unless you have agreed otherwise in writing with Google, you agree that you are responsible for protecting and enforcing those rights and that Google has no obligation to do so on your behalf. 11. Content license from you
11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.
11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.
11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.
11.4 You confirm and warrant to Google that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the above license.
I'd love for a lawyer to chime in on this and comment below. Even if you're not a lawyer, are you concerned by this?
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