Originally published November 29 2005
Google to resume scanning copyrighted library books
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Despite the efforts of some publishers and authors, Google will continue scanning copyrighted materials in the near future. Google also has disclosed that targeting out-of-print works was always its policy.
Google Inc. will resume scanning copyrighted library books into its search engine after a self-imposed hiatus, despite the efforts of some publishers and authors to block it from doing so without the copyright holders' permission.
In August, amid a backlash by publishers, the company suspended its scanning of copyrighted books in libraries until today in order to give publishers time to request that their works not be scanned.
The company hadn't publicly disclosed that it was targeting out-of-print works for its initial scanning efforts although it says that was always its policy.
Google's renewed push is the latest move in a legal and philosophical battle over how copyright law applies to online content, a battle that could have ramifications for the future of the Internet and the publishing industry.
Through its Print Library Project, which was announced in December, Google plans to put millions of library books through digital scanners that record images of each page.
Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, said his trade group doesn't intend to withdraw the suit it filed in September against Google in U.S. District Court in New York alleging that the search company is violating copyright.
"This category is fraught with issues as to whether publishers can even say go ahead and use them because they may not have the rights," said Mr. Adler.
"We believe the Google project is a good and right thing, and that our participation is consistent with our role as an educational institution," said Andrew Herkovic, director of communications and development at the Stanford University Libraries.
But Google's actions have raised concerns among some librarians uneasy with the idea of creating ill will with publishers and authors.
"In general I think that libraries need to observe copyright," said Tom Garnett, assistant director for Digital Library and Information Systems at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, which are the libraries serving the Smithsonian Institution.
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