|
Originally Posted by Jonathan Stempel of Reuters
Google Inc on Thursday won dismissal of a long-running lawsuit by authors who accused the Internet search company of digitally copying millions of books for an online library without permission.
U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin in Manhattan accepted Google's argument that its scanning of more than 20 million books, and making "snippets" of text available online, constituted "fair use" under U.S. copyright law...
Chin wrote that the scanning makes it easier for students, teachers, researchers and the public to find books, while maintaining "respectful consideration" for authors' rights.
He also said Google's digitization was "transformative," meaning it gave the books a new purpose or character, and could be expected to boost rather than reduce book sales.
The judge noted that Google takes steps to keep people from viewing complete copies of books online, including by keeping some snippets from being shown.
"In my view, Google Books provide significant public benefits," Chin wrote. "Indeed, all society benefits."
|