Re: Why bother?
The publishers want to compel Google to list their content in search results (arguing that exclusion would mount to Google abusing its monopoly position) AND they want Google to have to pay for the privilege.
Nice legislation, if your lobbyists can get it for you ...
What the article conveniently fails to mention is that apart from Google's public campaign there is a strong movement opposing the Leistungsschutzrecht (LSR) , but of course barely anyone in the established media, who all hope to profit from the LSR, is properly reporting about this opposition. Instead you'll find tons of articles praising the LSR while liking Google to a dealer in stolen goods or just plain calling them thieves.
Some alternative information (sorry, all German):
http://leistungsschutzrecht.info/
https://netzpolitik.org/2012/wissenschaftler-gegen-leistungsschutzrecht-gefahr-unabsehbarer-negativer-folgen/ (scientists opposing LSR, warning of incalculable negative impact)
http://www.tagesschau.de/inland/jugend-gegen-leistungsschutzrecht100.html (youth [organisations] opposing LSR)