Broadbandindia Magazine

Online search giant Google Inc will buy Metaweb Technologies, an Internet information database start-up, for an undisclosed amount. In a blog posted on Google’s website, it said, “We have acquired Metaweb, a company that maintains an open database of things in the world. Working together, we want to improve the search and make the web richer and more meaningful for everyone,” it added.

However, the company has not disclosed the terms of the deal. San Francisco— based Metaweb had a free and open database of 12 million things, such as movies, books, TV shows, locations, celebrities and companies, that would help Google’s users get fast replies to search queries. “Google and Metaweb plan to maintain Freebase as a free and open database for the world,” Google Director (Product Management) Jack Menzel said, adding, “We plan to contribute to and further develop Freebase, and would be delighted if other web companies use and contribute to the data.”