Google Settles Copyright Lawsuit with Book Publishers for Mass Scanning

[jalaffa]

Google has been a major boon to researchers, with their efforts to scan and index just about everything, but they haven’t exactly endeared themselves to copyright holders, a state of affairs which had cumulated in a lawsuit against the search giant by the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers. Today, Google announced that they’ve reached an agreement that will allow them to continue their book digitization project with the cooperation of the authors and publishers.

The agreement states that Google will pay a hefty $125 million, mostly to establish a Book Rights Registry. The registry will allow copyright holders to identify themselves and receive royalties.

Under the agreement, users of Google Book Search will be able to view up to 20% of any indexed book for free, a big increase from the “snippets” available before. Users can also view a book in its entirety by paying a fee, which goes to the copyright holder through the Book Rights Registry.

Also, local libraries will be able to offer free access to the entire texts of all of Google’s 7 million (and growing) scanned books.

Right now the settlement will only affect users in the U.S., though Google says they’re attempting to reach similar agreements abroad.

Original Article

[irefay]

Yeah, this is a GREAT service if you have to do research papers for school and they require "non internet" sources.

[FBi]

it is amusing how you can go to the library and photocopy any part or an entire book, magazine etc. legally, but if it's "digitized" and put online for the home user all of the sudden the copyright holders want to be paid.

[Bizarre™]

it is amusing how you can go to the library and photocopy any part or an entire book, magazine etc. legally, but if it's "digitized" and put online for the home user all of the sudden the copyright holders want to be paid.

Attention of people goes to the highest bidder, or so they say :lmao: :win:

[sumant30]

it is amusing how you can go to the library and photocopy any part or an entire book, magazine etc. legally, but if it's "digitized" and put online for the home user all of the sudden the copyright holders want to be paid.

Very valid pint.

[voodoohippie]

I've told people since 2003 when all the sue them all campaigns started from the RIAA that its not just about music, the copyright cops want all your money and its not about compensation for the artists, but rather its lining the pockets of the big wig major corporations. This point is something many people haven't a clue about.