More franco trouble for Google. After appearing in a Brussels courtroom today to defend its use of Belgian publishers' news content, Google lawyers might as well hang around the continent to deal with this suit (reported by UK-based PC Advisor)

Flach Film says that Google acted as a fully responsible publisher (rather than a passive host) when Google Video users streamed or downloaded the filmmaker’s documentary, "Le monde selon Bush" ("The World According to Bush").

The film, which is no longer available on the French Google Video site, had more than 43,000 views in a short period of time, Flach said.

Flach wants compensation for the unpaid views on the video site. Google says it doesn't have liability because its user agreement forbids uploading copyright material and because it quickly took the video down when alerted. The case is file in France so American protections for online services wouldn't apply unless similar protections are offered by French law.