Google’s e-book deal could slow rise of Amazon Kindle in Europe

[stonetools]

Google announced a major deal this week with French authors and publishers that clears the way for the sale of millions of e-books that have been caught in legal limbo until now. The deal could spur digital publishing in Europe and also shape which companies gain control of the continent’s fledgling e-book market.

Under the terms of the agreement, more than 600 French publishers and a major writers group will drop lawsuits over Google’s decision to scan books without permission and the publishers will begin selling digital versions of the books. The deal will let publishers keep control over which e-books are sold and will require Google to create a list that helps authors keep track of their copyright.

This week’s agreement is significant because it coincides with a French law that creates a new royalty collection mechanism for e-books. Taken together, the developments mean that many of the legal obstacles that have halted the rise of e-book sales in France are now cleared. At the same time, the deal could also provide a template for the rest of Europe where e-book sales remain minuscule. In December, France’s former culture minister said the country was a “bridge head” for Google to the rest of the continent.

LINK

Looks like Google may be stealing a march on Amazon in the land which gave us the term march .

Is there anyone from France who can weigh in on this ?

[Kali Yuga]

Kind of a terrible title for the article, IMO.

Google basically caved on the "opt-out." Rights holders have to explicitly give permission first.

Most of the titles in question are obscure out-of-print or orphaned books, with low-quality OCR scans, whose primary constituencies will be academics. Probably not big sellers. If it does take off, Amazon could always engage in their own scanning project, presumably on the same terms, if they were willing to incur the costs.

Still, in general it's a positive step, especially if the US takes the cue and switches to opt-in.

[HarryT]

I really have to take issue with:

At the same time, the deal could also provide a template for the rest of Europe where e-book sales remain minuscule.

eBook sales in the UK are far from "miniscule", to my mind.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really have to take issue with:

eBook sales in the UK are far from "miniscule", to my mind.

I think they are using 'Europe' in the sense that most Brits use it, which is to mean all the people on the other side of the channel, but not us

[Kumabjorn]

Yes, Britons always talks about Europe as an entity outside GB. So in that sense the article seems correct. But to be more precisely, eBook sales are miniscule in non-English speaking countries. This isn't related to continets, right Aussies?

[VaporPunk]

An Englishman who thinks he's part of Europe? What is this world coming too...

Concerning the OP, good news. Karma + thanks are in order.

[plib]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

I think they are using 'Europe' in the sense that most Brits use it, which is to mean all the people on the other side of the channel, but not us

Ancient (and possibly apocryphal) Daily Express headline:

"Fog in the Channel. Europe isolated."

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really have to take issue with:

eBook sales in the UK are far from "miniscule", to my mind.

Come on Harry, you know they mean foreigners when they say Europe

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Come on Harry, you know they mean foreigners when they say Europe

You don't consider the UK to be a part of Europe?

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You don't consider the UK to be a part of Europe?

Google don't
The have their UK blog
http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.co.uk/
And their Europe blog
http://googlepolicyeurope.blogspot.co.uk/

[HarryT]

Weird!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Yes, Britons always talks about Europe as an entity outside GB. So in that sense the article seems correct. But to be more precisely, eBook sales are miniscule in non-English speaking countries. This isn't related to continets, right Aussies?

Silly brits.....

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by plib

Ancient (and possibly apocryphal) Daily Express headline:

"Fog in the Channel. Europe isolated."

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Silly brits.....

Not this Briton; I've always regarded myself as European.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You don't consider the UK to be a part of Europe?

I think almost all Britons, if someone used Europe is a sentence, would assume it meant continental Europe.