Google’s Book Scanning and Copyright Laws

July 21st, 2009 at 06:37pm Under copyright act

As you may know, Google is making an effort to scan every book
in the world. The goal is to create a giant online database of
every book that can be searched. One small problem is the fact
that Google is violating copyright laws.

Copyright

Google argues its book database doesn’t violate copyright laws.
The company suggests it only shows short passages and
accompanies the text with ads showcasing where the full books
can be purchased. Of course, the ads are Google Adwords from
which the company makes a tidy profit.

On Tuesday, the search goliath rolled out stand-alone book
search services in 14 countries. The same day, the Text and
Academic Authors Association (TAA) became the latest publishers’
organization to call Google’s opt-out strategy backwards.

Authors, Publishers and publishing associations are not happy.
While Google only publishes the full text of books in the public
domain, it is still copying entire books for which it has no
permission. Google claims it can do this because the books are
being scanned from versions owned by public libraries. Fearing
an avalanche of lawsuits, Google backed off.

In August, Google stopped scanning copyrighted books in public
library collections. At the same time, it gave publishers the
right to submit lists of books the publishers didn’t want
scanned. As you can image, publishers still aren’t happy.

The Arrogance of Google

Once viewed as the underdog to giants such as Microsoft, Google
continues to act like the local school bully. In this case, the
company has taken such an arrogant approach that lawsuits are
inevitable. Google is going to take a beating in the lawsuits
and here is why.

Consider the neighborhood you live in. What if a local crime
syndicate informed every household it was going to steal
everything in each household. Undoubtedly, there would be calls
of outrage. In response, what if the crime syndicate then
suggested you could send a list of items in your house that you
didn’t want stolen? This is exactly what Google is doing.
Google’s decision to scan every book in the world is idealistic,
but laughably simple minded. At a time when the recording
industry is suing teenagers for file swapping, one would think
Google would get a clue.

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By Copyright Law Add comment

Does Anybody Know If There Is A Copyright Law For Selling Celebrity And Other Popular Posters And Pictures?

July 19th, 2009 at 04:24am Under copyright law

I am planning to sell posters online. I want to know how I can obtain a licence to do that. I want to protect myself from any issues with suing by big companies.

By Copyright Law Enquirer 4 comments

Hi,does Anybody Know How To Cancel Itunes Copyright Protection On Songs?

July 18th, 2009 at 04:25am Under copyright protection

I downloaded few songs from itunes and I want to transfer them to my sony mp3 device but I can’t because they are protected or something. Is there any program to cancel that protection? Can anybody help please? Thank you!!!

By Copyright Law Enquirer 1 comment

How Do You Know What Songs U Can Use In Videos Without Violating A Copyright Law?

July 17th, 2009 at 10:26am Under copyright law

I want to make a video of a Linkin Park song and put it on myspace and youtube. I made a video of clint eastwood byt he gorrilaz and that got taken off because it violated copyright, The song is high voltage and its an underground linkin park song thats not on an album, will i be able to post it? i dont want to violate it again because they might delete my myspace account.

By Copyright Law Enquirer 4 comments

Anyone Know Of A Copyright Website? Copyright Screenplays?

July 17th, 2009 at 04:27am Under website copyright

I have written a script and would like to Copyright it. Anyone know of a good website?

By Copyright Law Enquirer 1 comment

What Should You Do If You Know Someone Breaking The Copyright Law?

July 15th, 2009 at 10:26am Under copyright law

I have to write a report for school about a person (John) who buys a computer game and then copies it and sells the copies.
What should I do if I know that a friend is breaking the law? I’ll explain to him that he is breaking the law and that he should stop. But should I report him? If so, where?

By Copyright Law Enquirer 6 comments

Does Anybody Know The Official Music Copyright Laws?

July 13th, 2009 at 04:26pm Under music copyright

Do you know officially the laws of like copying music from cds and using other peoples music to put on your own ipod? If so, can you give me your reference too (an official website with proof). Somebody I know is afraid to copy any music or lend out their music.

By Copyright Law Enquirer 1 comment

Google’s Book Scanning and Copyright Laws

July 12th, 2009 at 12:40pm Under copyright law

As you may know, Google is making an effort to scan every book
in the world. The goal is to create a giant online database of
every book that can be searched. One small problem is the fact
that Google is violating copyright laws.

Copyright

Google argues its book database doesn’t violate copyright laws.
The company suggests it only shows short passages and
accompanies the text with ads showcasing where the full books
can be purchased. Of course, the ads are Google Adwords from
which the company makes a tidy profit.

On Tuesday, the search goliath rolled out stand-alone book
search services in 14 countries. The same day, the Text and
Academic Authors Association (TAA) became the latest publishers’
organization to call Google’s opt-out strategy backwards.

Authors, Publishers and publishing associations are not happy.
While Google only publishes the full text of books in the public
domain, it is still copying entire books for which it has no
permission. Google claims it can do this because the books are
being scanned from versions owned by public libraries. Fearing
an avalanche of lawsuits, Google backed off.

In August, Google stopped scanning copyrighted books in public
library collections. At the same time, it gave publishers the
right to submit lists of books the publishers didn’t want
scanned. As you can image, publishers still aren’t happy.

The Arrogance of Google

Once viewed as the underdog to giants such as Microsoft, Google
continues to act like the local school bully. In this case, the
company has taken such an arrogant approach that lawsuits are
inevitable. Google is going to take a beating in the lawsuits
and here is why.

Consider the neighborhood you live in. What if a local crime
syndicate informed every household it was going to steal
everything in each household. Undoubtedly, there would be calls
of outrage. In response, what if the crime syndicate then
suggested you could send a list of items in your house that you
didn’t want stolen? This is exactly what Google is doing.
Google’s decision to scan every book in the world is idealistic,
but laughably simple minded. At a time when the recording
industry is suing teenagers for file swapping, one would think
Google would get a clue.

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By Copyright Law Add comment

Does Anyone Know About Copyright Law Relating To Scans Of Books In The Public Domain?

July 9th, 2009 at 10:25pm Under copyright law

Specifically, if I take a book from 1880 (obviously in the public domain), scan it, convert it to PDF, and sell it on Ebay as a PDF, do I have any rights under copyright law that could deter someone from buying that pdf from me and turning right around and selling it themselves?
Put more abstractly, if a text is in the public domain and my only contribution to it is to digitize it from an old book into a pdf or other format, can the result be copyrighted?

By Copyright Law Enquirer 5 comments

Anybody Know Trademark Law? Can I Call Myself “dating Goddess” If Someone Says They Trademarked It?

July 9th, 2009 at 04:26am Under trademark law

Even if I was using it first? I’ve used the email address, either here or on hotmail, since 2002 and got the nickname in February, 2002 but now somebody is giving me grief about it!!

By Copyright Law 5 comments


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