Publishers Sue Google Over Plans to Digitize Copyrighted Books; Google Print Library Violates Publishers' and Authors' Rights

• Published in: U.S. Newswire p. 1
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Washington U.S. Newswire 19.10.2005
• Subjects: Schroeder, Patricia

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today announced the filing of a lawsuit against [Google] over its plans to digitally copy and distribute copyrighted works without permission of the copyright owners. The lawsuit was filed only after lengthy discussions broke down between AAP and Google's top management regarding the copyright infringement implications of the Google Print Library Project. "The publishing industry is united behind this lawsuit against Google and united in the fight to defend their rights," said AAP President and former Colorado Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder. "While authors and publishers know how useful Google's search engine can be and think the Print Library could be an excellent resource, the bottom line is that under its current plan Google is seeking to make millions of dollars by freeloading on the talent and property of authors and publishers." As a way of accomplishing the legal use of copyrighted works in the Print Library Project, AAP proposed to Google that they utilize the well-known ISBN numbering system to identify works under copyright and secure permission from publishers and authors to scan these works. Since the inception of the ISBN system in 1967, a unique ISBN number has been placed on every book, identifying each book and linking it to a specific publisher. Google flatly rejected this reasonable proposal.