Can Quaero quiet critics with 'coopetatition'?

Category: Internet Trends

March 27th 08, 13:00

Quaero, the web search initiative funded by the European Union, has been misunderstood by its critics, according to the project's leaders.

According to the International Herald Tribune, the 23 organisations involved in its development have attempted to quell criticism by invoking the notion of "coopetition".

Initially introduced by former French president Jacques Chirac, Quaero's smooth development has been hampered by commentators who have billed it the next " Google-killer".

However, its pioneers claim the project is not a search engine but a research cooperative combining academic insight with the private sector to form multimedia and multilingual search prototypes, the results of which could be made available to any interested company.

Jean-Charles Hourcade, chief technology officer of Thomson, the French video and multimedia company that is leading Quaero, told the news provider that "coopetition" - a cooperative form of competition - is at the heart of the project.

An aid granted by France to the programme - also supported by companies including France Telecom and Siemens AG - was approved by the European commission this month.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.

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