Quote:
Originally Posted by tomsem
Monopolistic concerns aside, I'd be curious to know if Google has any notion of adding Print On Demand to the access methods for out of print books, as an alternative to or extension of purchase-for-view.
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Google plans on allowing very limited printing through their library subscription program. (A few pages per registered user.) It's one of the objections that a couple of academically-focused authors noted--that many academics would prefer anything out-of-print be copyable at will, for research or whatever reasons, but Google's settlement doesn't allow them to set open access terms for their works.
OTOH, comic book publishers have pointed out that "out of print" is often a temporary state in their industry, and object to the idea of graphic novels being thrown into Google's registry in a way that discourages them from reprinting that novel, or sections of it, in future publications.
There is no current POD option planned, and the settlement seems to not allow future variations. (Another complaint. The GSA is not fixable in parts; it's an all-or-nothing deal.)