Re: Question about Google Print

["Sally Morris \(ALPSP\)" <sally.morris@alpsp.org>]

Google Print is indeed a program which is dependent on publishers signing
an agreement (and supplying the books). The amount of the book which is
visible to the searcher is rather larger than that of in-copyright works
in the library program (see below) - typically a couple of pages each side
of the search term and (I think) no limit on the instances of the search
term.  There is a link to sources of the print book such as the
publisher's site, Amazon, and libraries (via WorldCat).  It is not limited
to books - publishers can include their own digitised backlist books or
journal backruns, under the same terms.  Indeed, this is one way round the
potential threat posed by the library digitisation project.  Apparently
(though I'm not quite sure how), works already digitised through Google
Print will be excluded from the library project.

The library digitisation project is quite separate (though recent Google
pronouncements might have you think otherwise).  No agreements are sought
with publishers (though they can have works removed if they so request).
The print originals are supplied by the libraries, not the publishers (I
assume therefore that they have found a way of digitising without
destroying the originals) and, from two of the libraries concerned,
currently include in-copyright works.  For in-copyright works (assuming
they can figure out which these are), the amount displayed will be
extremely limited (a kind of 'keyhole' view) though, of course, as far as
legality is concerned that is hardly the point.  What publishers are
objecting to is the illegal making and distribution (back to the
libraries) of digital copies of in-copyright works - by no stretch of the
imagination can this be covered by the copyright exceptions for libraries.

Hope this helps

Sally Morris, Chief Executive
Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers
Email:  sally.morris@alpsp.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Goodman" <David.Goodman@liu.edu>
To: <liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 11:20 PM
Subject: Question about Google Print

Perhaps someone from the list can give an authoritative answer

I have heard it said that GP is only digitizing in-print books from
coperating publishers with which they have an agreement.  (In which case I
cannot see any pssible merit to the lawsuits aganst them)

I have also heard it said that they are simply digitizing everything as
they get to it. (And presumably, giving it what copyright status the book
claims for itself)

Does anyone know whatthey are actually doing?

Dr. David Goodman
dgoodman@liu.edu