SearchEngineWatch is on the case:

Agence France Presse Sues Google over News Content

AFP is suing Google for "at least $17.5 million" and "an order barring Google News from displaying AFP photographs, news headlines or story leads..." A Reuters article also says that AFP has asked Google to "cease and desist" from using its content but "Google has ignored such requests and as of the filing date of the lawsuit 'continues in an unabated manner to violate AFP's copyrights.'"

For more info on the suit click on over to CNet.com.

Google is down two on the year already when it comes to the treacherous combination of France and trademark litigation. In February the web mega-aggregator lost a trademark infringement case brought by Louis Vuitton. The fashion design label sued Google over the use of its trade name in its adwords program. Google lost similar case only a month eariler that had been brought by French hotelier Le Meridien.

No doubt AFP is feeling confident about their case, given Google's batting average in the land of fromage. But Google is doing a bit better state-site, having recently won an adword related trademark infringment case brought by insurance vendor Geico.

-- MDT