Bing's Fun Image Widget Tool Leads To Getty Images Copyright Lawsuit

Sep 5, 2014 - 8:55 am 3 by
Filed Under Bing Search

getty images and microsoft bingRemember the Bing Image Widget Tool where you can take a query and embed it on your site, and Bing will display images matches the query? Fun tool right?

Well, it got Microsoft into some trouble.

Getty Images has sued Microsoft over copyright infringement over the tool.

Reuters reports Getty Images sued Microsoft for "massive infringement" over the tool.

The lawsuit said:

In effect, defendant has turned the entirety of the world's online images into little more than a vast, unlicensed 'clip art' collection for the benefit of those website publishers who implement the Bing Image Widget, all without seeking permission from the owners of copyrights in those images.

Microsoft said:

As a copyright owner ourselves we think the laws in this area are important. We'll take a close look at Getty's concerns.

I assume the tool will go away quietly soon.

Forum discussion at Google+.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 13, 2025

Mar 13, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Hotlink Protection Carve Outs For Search Engines Are Fine

Mar 13, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Merchant Center Adds Bulk Request Review

Mar 13, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Ads

Microsoft Advertising Tests Updated Reports Templates

Mar 13, 2025 - 7:31 am
Bing Ads

Bing Ads Blue Local Business Tag & Other Labels

Mar 13, 2025 - 7:21 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Search Max Spotted Again

Mar 13, 2025 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: When Does Google Treat Your 503 Errors As 404s & Remove Them?