Let's assume it was Google that did this, and let's assume that it was non-authorised behaviour by a branch office. (I hope for their sake this isn't the case, but there is more than enough evidence to make it possible)
What should Google do?
Obviously they shouldn't dodge the responsibility, but also they should try and repair the damage somehow.
What is an appropriate course of action for them? Paying damages? Transferring customers?
They seem to have fixed that problem in a weekend, or am I missing something?
I'm unclear what you are saying - do you expect perfection from Google? I don't - mistakes happen. But I do expect them to fix things when they do something wrong.
What I mentioned was not simply a mistake. They fully knew what they were doing (i. e.: plagiarizing an existing solution), and then they "fixed" it only when they actually got caught.
You're right. Ethics don't exist. Let's hope they weasel out of it and learn their lesson at the same time. Instead learning that they can break the lawn AND weasel out of it.
That doesn't sound to me what nl is talking about at all. He's asking what others would do if they were running Google. He's not suggesting that ethics don't exist.
What should Google do?
Obviously they shouldn't dodge the responsibility, but also they should try and repair the damage somehow.
What is an appropriate course of action for them? Paying damages? Transferring customers?
I can't think of any good options, really.