The chief of intellectual property strategy for Microsoft, Thomas Rubin, has given an exceptionally tart and direct address in the U.K. on how newspapers have rolled over and ceded their content to Google.
Among his points:
1. The "information wants to be free" approach hasn't worked for newspapers. Not at all.
2. The Internet has failed the newspaper industry.
3. It's time to change the arrangement that permits Google to use newspaper content and monetize it freely.
It's an erudite argument, with no small axe to grind, and worthwhile reading.
