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The fake profiles of Formula One racer Rubens Barrichello in Orkut have earned him $500,000. Internet giant Google has been ordered to pay the amount to Barrichello as it owns and manages the social network site Orkut.
The court in Sao Paulo took the decision that was published in the Brazilian state's official government gazette.
It said that the damages could be raised to $700,000 as the case was lodged in July 2006, and that Google risked a daily fine of $590 until the pages referring to Barrichello were removed.
The 15th district court of Sao Paulo held Google responsible for the damage as the company managed the site and established the rules for its use. According to media reports there were more than 300 fake profiles under Barrichello's name on Orkut.
Google denied giving any immediate comment on the judgement. The amount of damage that has been ordered was the biggest yet awarded for false web profiles and online libel, said Brazilian specialists.
