MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Authors Guild and Google reach settlement: Millions of scanned books to be available.

Taylor514ce · 11-02-2008, 12:37 PM

Thank,s igorsk. That's interesting. Of course, HUL is welcome to pursue their own digital library and separate agreement with authors and publishers. No one has to participate in the "google settlement", and of course the Authors Guild has an ongoing role in ensuring author rights.

Google's model is to present the world with a "fait accompli" in terms of content acquisition and access, and if you don't like it, well, you're welcome to sue. Sometimes this fait accompli, such as online web search, is so useful that most turn a blind eye, and only a rabidly ridiculous minority cries foul. We'll see what happens in terms of literature and other media. The YouTube lawsuits haven't yet been settled.

It's very interesting to watch, and see how digital rights and creator compensation evolves. I think it is very important, though, to not allow one company to dictate to us how we store, distribute, and monetize artistic content.

11-02-2008, 12:37 PM	#56
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Thank,s igorsk. That's interesting. Of course, HUL is welcome to pursue their own digital library and separate agreement with authors and publishers. No one has to participate in the "google settlement", and of course the Authors Guild has an ongoing role in ensuring author rights. Google's model is to present the world with a "fait accompli" in terms of content acquisition and access, and if you don't like it, well, you're welcome to sue. Sometimes this fait accompli, such as online web search, is so useful that most turn a blind eye, and only a rabidly ridiculous minority cries foul. We'll see what happens in terms of literature and other media. The YouTube lawsuits haven't yet been settled. It's very interesting to watch, and see how digital rights and creator compensation evolves. I think it is very important, though, to not allow one company to dictate to us how we store, distribute, and monetize artistic content. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 11-02-2008 at 12:42 PM.