Business Digest

NATION

Google to let publishers limit articles read for free

NEW YORK — In a move that could help improve relations between Google Inc. and the media industry, the Internet search company is offering publishers a way to build more solid “pay walls” around their online stories while still appearing in search results.

In an official blog post Tuesday, Google said it will let publishers limit the number of restricted articles that readers can see for free through its search engine.

The change could remove one significant hurdle publishers face as they contemplate charging readers online.

Many newspapers are considering such fees because online advertising on free sites hasn’t offset the precipitous decline in print ad revenue that has come with the recession and competition from the Web.

AT&T, Verizon Wireless to drop lawsuits over ads

NEW YORK — AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless agreed Wednesday to end lawsuits accusing each other of lying in TV ads, taking their rivalry out of the court system for now.

AT&T Inc. agreed to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to force Verizon to pull its “There’s a Map for That” commercials.

Verizon agreed to dismiss a suit that sought a declaration that AT&T’s claims of “more bars in more places” was inaccurate.

Verizon’s lawsuit was filed in July, just after AT&T complained to the National Advertising Division of the Council for Better Business Bureaus about Verizon ads claiming that it has “America’s most reliable wireless network.”

That is the usual forum for disputes about advertising, but when Verizon filed a lawsuit, that process was suspended.

Associated Press