The increasing number of
objections being raised on the Google search engine against its practice
of caching web pages and serving them to the public has once again opened
the debate whether Copy right Protection is being allowed to kill the technological
innovations which has made Internet what it is today.
The practice of Google has
two aspects. Firstly, it hastens up the display of the page and provides
a distinct Consumer benefit. Secondly, it provides a third party record
of the contents as appearing on the Internet. This would serve a community
requirement of accountability of content on the web.
Very recently, it was reported that some sites of terrorist organisations
involved in Srinagar Blasts had claimed responsibility for the blasts on
their web sites but had later withdrew the site for the fear of legal retribution.
In such cases the cached pages would be of great help to the community.
In view of the above benefits
it appears that there is a necessity to protect the Google policy. If the
caching policy of Google is to be objected, how can Internet Explorer's
offline browsing feature be supported? The objection to Caching is therefore
against the community interests.
Naavi
October 15, 2001.
