Can an ambitious new European search engine, backed by the governments of France and Germany, challenge Google?
WE MUST take the offensive and muster a massive effort, said Jacques Chirac, the president of France, who went on to warn of the dangers of losing the battle for the power of tomorrow in a speech made last April. Standing beside him was Gerhard Schrder, then chancellor of Germany. In response to the formidable challenges posed by America, Japan and the emerging powers of China, India and Brazil, the two men announced that they had decided to step up their co-operation in a technological programme of vital strategic importance. A new fighter jet, perhaps, or a satellite surveillance system? No, the two heads of state were endorsing a plan to build a Franco-German internet-search engine, to be called Quaero (Latin for I seek). The project would, said Mr Chirac, be undertaken with the help of government funds in the image of the magnificent success of Airbus. In a series of further speeches over the past few months, he has warmed to his theme: We must take up the global challenge of the A
