Reuters is reporting that Brave Software (makers of Brave Browser and Brave Search Engine) has file a suit against News Corp to forestall a lawsuit by Rupert Murdoch.
In a Wednesday night complaint filed in San Francisco federal court, Brave said News Corp sent a cease-and-desist letter threatening litigation and demanding compensation for the alleged misappropriation of copyrighted articles by “scraping” its websites and indexing their content.
Brave countered that it is “fair use” to index website content, “which all search engine operators must do to exist.”
Brave is standing up against what it perceives as an effort by News Corp to hinder competition in the realms of search and AI. The lawsuit alleges that News Corp, in collaboration with Google, is attempting to create obstacles that would push smaller companies like Brave out of the market. With Google holding nearly 90% of the search market, Brave contends that this kind of pressure only reinforces the dominance of Big Tech and stifles innovation.
For SEOs who champion independent search engines, this conflict underscores the ongoing struggle for a more varied search landscape. Unlike Google or Bing, Brave Search functions without a heavy dependence on third-party indexing agreements, making it a unique option in a market that urgently needs more competition.
News Corp’s lawsuit reflects a rising trend among major publishers targeting AI and smaller search engines regarding content usage. However, Brave maintains that indexing and licensing content—methods that Google has employed for many years—should not suddenly be deemed copyright infringement when used by alternative search engines. SEOs advocating for diversity in search should pay close attention, as the outcome of this case could establish important guidelines for how third-party engines can function in an AI-driven search landscape.
As the CEO and founder of Pubcon Inc., Brett Tabke has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of online marketing and search engine optimization. His journey in the computer industry has spanned over three decades and has made him a pioneering force behind digital evolution. Full Bio
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