a perennially sore point, misappropriation

His speech was followed by polite questions from industry executives that only briefly touched upon a perennially sore point: whether the use of headlines and snippets of newspaper stories on Google News is “fair use” under copyright law or a misappropriation of newspaper content.


Chrome OS is also trying to redefine the idea of what a computer operating system should be. In a blog post Tuesday night, Google said the operating system would have the ability to boot up and let users get online in just seconds and new security features, addressing sore points for some users of PCs that run Microsoft Windows. Google is also betting customers will gravitate toward online software that requires an Internet connection, as opposed to conventional PC programs that are downloaded and installed.

perennial (TIME) Hide phonetics
adjective
lasting a very long time, or happening repeatedly or all the time:
The film 'White Christmas' is a perennial favourite.
We face the perennial problem of not having enough money.
Compare annual (EVERY YEAR); biennial.

perennially Hide phonetics
adverb
She seems to be perennially short of money.

Idioms: sore point, a
A sensitive or annoying issue, as in Don't mention diets to Elsie; it's a sore point with her. This idiom was first recorded as a sore place in 1690.

misappropriate Hide phonetics
verb [T] FORMAL
to steal something that you have been trusted to take care of and use it for your own benefit:
He is accused of misappropriating $30 000 to pay off gambling debts.

misappropriation Hide phonetics
noun [U] FORMAL
He was charged with forgery, embezzlement and misappropriation of union funds.