NY suit vs. Google seeks damages for pictures, art

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - A new lawsuit filed in federal court in New York City seeks to force Internet search leader Google to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for pictures and art used in the gigantic digital library it's trying to create.

The copyright infringement lawsuit was filed Wednesday by groups representing tens of thousands of photographers, artists and graphics workers. The groups are seeking up to $150,000 for each work of art they say was infringed upon.

The action adds a new wrinkle to the dispute over whether Google should be allowed to preside over the world's largest digital library.

Google Inc. hasn't responded to telephone messages and e-mails sent Wednesday.

A judge hasn't ruled whether to accept a $125 million settlement of a lawsuit groups representing authors and publishers brought against the Mountain View, Calif., company.