Originally published June 7 2005
Upcoming Google library raises fears of copyright infringement
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Google recently announced a plan to scan millions of library books into its search engine. Publishers are opposing this move, claiming that it will increase the risk of copyright infringement of the books, and decrease sales. The Association of American University Presses sent a letter asking Google to respond to 16 questions relating to how they intend to protect copyrights. Two publishers have already asked Google to withhold their published works, said Peter Givler, the executive director for the AAUP but Google has not complied yet. So far, Google has scanned books from the New York Public Library and Oxford, England, but both sources only supplied the search engine giant with works no longer protected by copyrights.
A group of academic publishers is challenging Google Inc.'s plan to scan millions of library books into its Internet search engine index, highlighting fears that the ambitious project will violate copyrights and stifle future sales.
In a letter scheduled to be delivered to Google Monday, the Association of American University Presses described the online search engine's library project as a troubling financial threat to its membership -- 125 nonprofit publishers of academic journals and scholarly books.
The plan "appears to involve systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale," wrote Peter Givler, the executive director for the New York-based trade group.
The association asked Google to respond to a list of 16 questions seeking more information about how the company plans to protect copyrights.
The association of nonprofit publishers is upset because Google has indicated it will scan copyright-protected books from three university libraries -- Harvard, Michigan and Stanford.
Those three universities also operate publishing arms represented by the group complaining about Google's 5-month-old "Libraries for Print" project.
Copyright concerns aren't the only issue casting a cloud over Google's library-scanning project.
One of Google's most popular features -- a section that compiles news stories posted on thousands of Web sites -- already has triggered claims of copyright infringement.
Agence France-Presse, a French news agency, is suing for damages of at least $17.5 million, alleging "Google News" is illegally capitalizing on its copyrighted material.
The company is counting on its library scanning project to attract even more visitors to its site so it can display more ads and potentially boost its earnings even more.
Earlier in the session, the shares traded as high as $258.10 -- a new peak since the company went public nine months ago at $85.
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