Strangers in the Night

The Associated Press reports that Google has begun hosting AP-produced news, as well as the content of three other major news services.

By hosting the stories and photographs proffered by other news sites, Google no longer has to send users to other destinations in order to read complete versions of a story. Other news organizations included in the deal include the UK's Press Association, Agence France-Press and The Canadian Press.

While the appearance of Google News will not be altered, the approach resolves disputes over whether Google infringes on other news organizations' copyrights by indexing snippets of their coverage. However, the decision may also reduce online ad revenue for the news sites involved.

Per a previous agreement, Google already pays AP a fee for its content. The new hosting arrangement will not incur additional fees for the search engine.

Google has no immediate plans to place ads alongside the hosted stories, but has stated it will not rule out the possibility.