[Web4lib] Google stops scanning copyrighted books

[Karen Coyle]

At the orphan works hearing held August 2 in Berkeley, there was 
discussion as to whether there should be different rules for for-profit 
and non-profit uses of orphan works. Should the copyright office make 
such a ruling, this would be significant because many of the items that 
libraries hold are indeed works for which there is no active copyright 
holder. (The definition of what it takes to be an actual "orphan" is 
also under discussion.) Michael Keller of Stanford was one of the 
participants at this discussion, as was Alex MacGillivray of Google. At 
one point, to my astonishment, Michael Keller stated that he considered 
the Google project to digitize library holdings to be a not for profit 
activity. (I don't remember the exact wording, but fortunately there 
will be transcripts made available.) I don't think any publishers would 
see it that way. At the same time, I don't think publishers would be 
terribly happy to see libraries making digital copies, even if 
ostensibly just for searching.

kc

K.G. Schneider wrote:

>>More on the Google front.
>>
>>Here are a couple articles describing Google's decision to stop scanning
>>copyrighted works for its Google Library project. Google says it is
>>"temporarily suspending scanning until November, but publishers still seem
>>upset:
>>
>>http://tinyurl.com/734v5
>>http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_2939570
>>_______________________________________________
>>    
>>
>
>This follows on the heels of a huge PR gaffe where Google got huffy over a
>CNET article and vowed to snub CNET for a year. Come, quaff CNET's
>schadenfreude:
>
>http://news.com.com/2061-10812_3-5790036.html
>
>Perhaps while Google is on pause the libraries involved in this project can
>think about marshalling their own resources for digitizing their collections
>and making this content publicly, collectively available through some other
>means than a monopoly interest.  
>
>Karen G. Schneider
>kgs at bluehighways.com
>
>
>
>
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>Web4lib at webjunction.org
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>  
>

-- 
-----------------------------------
Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
kcoyle at kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
ph.: 510-540-7596
fx.: 510-848-3913
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