Agnece France Presse has announced it is suing Internet search engine giant Google for using AFP's news headlines, photographs and stories on its Google news site without AFP's permission. They are seeking damages in the amount of $17.5 million plus a court order barring Google from using AFP's material in the future. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In its court papers, AFP alleges that, 'Without AFP's authorization, defendant is continuously and willfully reproducing and publicly displaying AFP's photographs, headlines and story leads on its Google News web pages.'

AFP also claims to have asked Google to cease and desist repeatedly but says Google has ignored all such requests. The French news agency claims that Google is using its material without its permission. Under normal circumstances, websites would pay a fee to AFP for the use of their photos, headlines and stories

Google spokesman Steve Langdon simply said, 'We are reviewing it' when asked by Reuters about the lawsuit.