Google and SerpApi Clash Over Data Scraping in Landmark Copyright Case

A legal battle is unfolding between Google and SerpApi, a company specializing in web data extraction, centering on the legality of scraping Google’s search results. The dispute raises critical questions about copyright, data access, and the future of web scraping in the age of artificial intelligence.

Google’s Lawsuit: Protecting Copyright and Website Rights

In December 2025, Google filed a lawsuit against SerpApi in federal court in California, alleging that the company bypassed its data protections to unlawfully scrape and resell search content to third parties Reuters. Google argues that SerpApi’s actions violate the rights of websites and content creators by circumventing established crawling protocols and security measures Google Blog.

According to Google, SerpApi employs deceptive tactics, including cloaking its bots, utilizing extensive networks of automated systems, and frequently changing its crawlers’ identities to bypass Google’s SearchGuard feature Google Blog. This allows SerpApi to access and replicate content that Google licenses from others, such as images and real-time data, and then profit from its resale.

SerpApi’s Defense: Challenging Google’s Claims

SerpApi is fighting back, filing a motion to dismiss Google’s complaint on February 20, 2026 SerpApi Blog. The company contends that Google is attempting to assert copyright control over information it does not own, arguing that Google’s search engine itself relies on scraping publicly available data from across the internet SerpApi Blog.

SerpApi argues that Google, as the largest scraper in the world, is hypocritical in its legal action. The company claims it is simply performing the same function as Google, albeit on a smaller scale, by automating the process of collecting and synthesizing information from public websites SerpApi Blog.

SerpApi asserts that Google’s use of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is misapplied, as the DMCA protects copyright holders, not website operators. The company maintains that Google does not hold the copyright to the content it indexes and therefore cannot restrict access to public information on behalf of content creators who have not authorized Google to do so SerpApi Blog.

Implications for Web Scraping and AI

This lawsuit has broader implications for the web scraping industry and the development of artificial intelligence. As AI models increasingly rely on vast datasets scraped from the internet, the legality of data acquisition is becoming a central concern Ars Technica. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how companies can legally access and utilize publicly available data.

The case too highlights the tension between protecting intellectual property rights and fostering innovation. While Google aims to safeguard the interests of websites and content creators, SerpApi argues that restricting data access could stifle research and development in the AI space Ars Technica.

Key Takeaways

• Google is suing SerpApi for allegedly scraping its search results using deceptive methods.
• SerpApi argues that Google is attempting to control data it doesn’t own and is engaging in hypocrisy.
• The lawsuit raises vital questions about copyright, data access, and the future of web scraping.
• The outcome of the case could significantly impact the AI industry and data acquisition practices.