Interesting People mailing list archives
Re: EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategy
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:58:25 -0500
Begin forwarded message: From: Thomas Lord <lord () emf net> Date: February 12, 2007 2:05:44 AM EST To: dave () farber net Cc: ip () v2 listbox com Subject: Re: [IP] EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategyThe "do it, get sued, settle" strategy was apparent from the beginning but aren't there two remaining legal problems?
First, by my (layperson's) reading of the federal code, the libraries and Google are colluding in a criminal act which is explicitly anticipated by and forbidden by the law (read the federal copyright code sections that pertain specifically to libraries). Don't the publishers have enough leverage to seize the databases of scanned books, prohibit Google from using them, and collect damages? Better be a heck of a settlement offer.
Second, supposing (as is likely the case) the publishers really want Google to operate this database then, sure, they can give retroactive copyright forgiveness and future permission to Google, letting many of our nation's most important libraries off the hook. And then comes the second problem: antitrust violations. Why does Google get uniquely privileged access to all of this data?
One can guess (or else suggest) that Google's competitors should be assisting with the suit against Google with the aim of creating a truly competitive environment for maintaining and providing access to the digital archives.
What an odd country we live in. -t David Farber wrote:
Begin forwarded message: From: Ted Nelson <tandm () xanadu net> Date: February 12, 2007 12:52:36 AM EST To: David Farber <dave () farber net> Cc: Ted Nelson <tandm () xanadu net>Subject: recorrected :xu: EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategyReply-To: tandm () xanadu net Hi Dave-- Everybody wonders what Google is going to do next. Here's a great piece called "Google's Moon Shot"-- http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070205fa_fact_toobin printable at http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/070205fa_fact_toobin Thiis excellent piece (from the Feb 12 New Yorker) describes the current strange situation-- all the major American publishers are suing Google for scanning their books without permission; Google is expected to PAY THEM OFF, which it can easily afford, gaining the keys to the kingdom. How to deliver final information to users-- this is where I think the Xanadu Project, with its design for parallel media views and recomposition, is still highly relevant. CheersT --Theodor Holm Nelson Visiting Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute Visiting Professor, University of Southampton Founder, Project Xanadu --Theodor Holm Nelson Visiting Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute Visiting Professor, University of Southampton Founder, Project Xanadu ------------------------------------------- Archives: http://archives.listbox.com/247/ Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
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Current thread:
- EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategy David Farber (Feb 11)
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- Re: EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategy David Farber (Feb 12)
- Re: EXcellent article on Google's scanning strategy David Farber (Feb 12)