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Authors Guild Sues Google Over Print Program
heavy snowfall writes to tell us that The Authors Guild has filed a class action lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit claims that Google's scanning and digitizing of library books as a part of the Google Print Project constitutes "massive copyright infringement". In addition to the lawsuit The Authors Guild has also issued a press release to explain its actions.
I tend to agree that it may be a "massive copyright infringement". As opposed to burning of the said books, for example.
Personally, I agree with the filers of the suit.
While I see no problem with making available public domain works, I do see where Publishers and authors have a very legitimate case and wish them the best in this effort.
Per the link to the Claimants PR:
"Google has agreements with four academic libraries -- those of Stanford, Harvard, Oxford and the University of Michigan -- and with the New York Public Library to create digital copies of substantial parts of their collections and to make those collections available for searching online. Google has not sought the approval of the authors of these works for this program."
That's pretty much like going over to your friend Freds house and asking him if you can copy his CD collection to post online.You and I know better, and you can be damn sure that Google knows better.
This brings into question Googles "Don't be evil" mantra.
Since I have to assume that Google knows that their actions are legally questionable at best, how can they justify blatant infringement without using appropriate channels as "good".
This smacks of the fabled MS style tactic of just doing whatever the damn hell you want and expecting money to shut people up after the fact.
Is this a sign of things to come from Google?
You're assuming that Google give a shit about other people, and that they give a shit about the law.
Google have BILLIONS of dollars. They're above the law. They routinely break copyright law every single day. This 'print' program is a clear breach of copyright. But why would Google have to ask permission like us lowly law-abiding people would have to?
They're loaded. They can afford to win any lawsuit by hiring all the best lawyers and forcing their opponents into submission, whether they're right or wrong. Anyone else doing this would be sued into oblivion by the book equivalent of the RIAA, but Google are so rich and powerful they're untouchable.
I'm betting this is just the tip of the iceberg. Google is turning into the next Microsoft.