Google's recent move to scan copyrighted works leaves many unresolved questions: Does the greater good of putting books online outweigh current copyright law? Is Google's complete scanning a violation of copyright law even if the end user doesn't get much more than a small excerpt of the work in a search result? Does it make a difference if the book is out of print yet still, theoretically, under copyright? Should Google be required to get a publisher's permission before scanning content rather than offering an opt-out policy that puts the burden on the publishers to take action? Is copyright law designed for printed materials still valid in the digital age? No matter how those copyright issues are resolved, Google will hardly be the only player in this arena....Another possible factor in the book industry equation is the power of libraries, some of which have embraced Google's digitization methods. The goal of libraries is to make their collections open to all. Digitization allows libraries to have a larger audience even if there are copyright challenges in the future. Indeed, Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, has said she welcomes the world to the school's library. "As educators, we are inspired by the possibility of sharing these important works with people around the globe," she noted in Google's November 3 statement. "Think of the doors it will open for students; geographical distance will no longer hamper research."
Posted by
Peter Suber at 11/19/2005 10:33:00 AM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
