The deal that Google signed with the Associated Press a year ago, in Aug 2006, has yielded little result, reports IDG News Service. The then much-hyped deal was supposed to pave the way for Google to use original AP content in a broader manner. However, the expected services and features have not emerged yet. While confirming that the deal had not produced any results yet, Google spokesman Gabriel Stricker wrote this week that the search giant was "confident that [its] relationship with the AP will result in user benefit, but have nothing specific to announce at this time."

The news could refuel suspicions that the deal was initially signed by Google to avoid a lawsuit from AP, something which Google strongly denied at the time, saying the agreement was struck to license new Google features. However, the deal did settle a dispute between the two partners, with AP accusing Google News of violating its content's copyright. Google claims that its action comes under fair use and actually benefits AP by increasing its exposure. Another suit against Google, filed by Agence France Presse, was settled in Apr this year with a licensing agreement.

New York-based AP is a non-for profit organisation owned by US news companies. The 160-year-old cooperative had revenues of USD654m in 2005. The same year, its news service was used by 1,700 newspapers, and 5,000 TV and radio outlets. Forward to colleagues