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Google Looks To Convert Print Pubs Into E-Articles

Posted by timothy on from the one-at-a-time dept.

bizwriter writes "A patent application by Google (GOOG), filed in August 2008 and made public last week, shows that the company is trying to automate the process of splitting printed magazines and newspapers into individual articles that it could then deliver separately. Although this could allow Google to convert stacks of periodicals into electronic archives, it potentially sends the company headlong into conflict with a famous Supreme Court ruling on media law."

4 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. "Reprinted by permission" by LostCluster · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Most magazines are glad to sell their content from back issues for money. So, if Google gets permission from the publisher, and then charges for back magazine items in the same way they have a paid-for newspaper archive search... is that really headed for the Supreme Court?

    1. Re:"Reprinted by permission" by perlchild · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Most magazines wouldn't be ok with an automated process because it wouldn't let them charge extra for some issues.

      I'm not saying google intends to do this, but I doubt sports illustrated would let their swimsuit issue go for the same price as the rest.

  2. capability does not imply intention by AliasMarlowe · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The patent application merely shows they know how to do such a thing. It does not mean that they plan to do so. Google has many unimplemented patents.
    Maybe they will, and maybe they won't. But anyone who does will have to factor Google's patent application into their economic reckoning.

    --
    Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
  3. Re:Leaping to conclusions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Both TFA and the summary assume leap to the conclusion that GOOGLE would run afoul of a law relating to current publications without even hinting at the utterly vast archives of newspapers molding in public libraries or on microfilm that can't be accessed conveniently if at all.

    That was pretty much exactly what I was going to say. There's a huge leap to nefarious conclusions here - this kind of technology would be awesome for getting old magazines and newspapers a huge amount of which are out of copyright altogether preserved.

    Google's "don't be evil" motto may be laughable, but the leaping to conclusions about their nefarious attempts to preserve history that is rotting away as we speak is even more hilarious.