Google providing legal access to out-of-print books

[jducoeur]

Fascinating article in Ars Technica this morning, that may have far-reaching consequences for bibliophiles.

The article doesn't give a ton of detail, but it's tantalizing. Summary: Google has finally settled its long-running battle with publishers over its program to scan books from libraries, with an agreement that, at first glance, seems decently win-win. Basically, Google is becoming a sort of publisher of last resort for in-copyright, out-of-print books -- the vast majority of books out there, and often the ones we want. They'll provide legal access to these books online, with a fee for individual access. Libraries will get full, free access to the entire already-huge and rapidly growing database.

I'll want to see the details (like price) before I start cheering, and obviously this is just a workaround for the pretty-broken US copyright system. But within the constraints of that system, this may be one of the better possible approaches...

Comments

[calygrey.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[laurion]

Not wholly so. Libraries will be able to purchase a subscription, which will allow their constituent patrons full, prepaid access to the database. This is not a new model, as scholarly journals have been available to libraries under similar subscription options for years.

That said, yes, it has strong potential to be a win-win. It successfully monetizes an otherwise unmonetized product, strengthens the practical values of copyright without exacerbating the unfortunate side effects, and in general goes a long way towards making it easier for everyone to Do The Right Thing.

I do mildly fear that if Google becomes the _only_ avenue for this material that it could lead to abuse of power, at least on the scale of Google supporting copyright extensions. I'd hate for Google to turn into the RIAA or MPAA of the book world.

[jducoeur]

Yaas -- there are some definite monopoly-power issues here. I'd like to see Google have some competition in this, but I don't know whether that will be realistic: the startup costs and network effects of a project like this are so high that I don't know if anybody else will want to move into the market...

[fairdice.livejournal.com]

(Sorry; running way behind on LJ this week.)

Let me just mention that the engineering work for this project was all done in the Boston office. If you wish you were involved with this... you could be.

[jducoeur]

Heh. An interesting point, but I still would prefer to wind up at Google by being bought by them, and I need to get a working system before *that's* ever going to happen...