Google Searches for Book Deal

It is reported that Google is in the middle of attempting to reach a settlement in the amount of $125 million for the digital rights to millions of books. Since December, 2004, Google has been scanning books from the libraries of a number of institutions of higher learning, such as Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and the University of Oxford, in an effort to make them searchable and accessible to worldwide users of Google. Many educators, large corporations and civil rights leaders applaud Google's attempt to make more books accessible, especially for those who traditionally lacked access to such resources.

In essence, Google is asserting the digital rights to millions of current, out-of-print, and "orphan" books (books whose copyright owners are nowhere to be found). The settlement involves working with publishers and authors to pay holders of the copyright protected books for the digital rights to their works on a royalty system based on profits earned by Google as a "sales agent" of those digital rights.

There are those who vehemently oppose Google's plans to secure digital rights to these publications, as it raises issues involving Copyright and Anti-Trust laws -- the two safeguards of intellectual property and competition practices. The idea that Google may become the sole digital copyright holder to these literary works would essentially give them a monopoly over all books in digital form. Notwithstanding the fact that Google has allegedly agreed to provide access to its database of digital publications to Amazon and other internet book retailers, these retailers in large part remain staunchly opposed to Google's plans, as they may fear such a move will effectively put them out of business.

Let us know what you think about Goggle's attempt. Should you want to learn more about this post or our services, please visit www.DandridgeLaw.com or email ContactUs@DandridgeLaw.com

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-by Daniel Sikakane, Legal Assistant

Labels: intellectual property

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