Google stops scanning copyrighted books

San Francisco
August 15, 2005 - 11:30AM

Stung by a publishing industry backlash, Google has halted its efforts to scan copyrighted books from some of America's largest university libraries so the material can be indexed in its leading internet search engine.

The company announced the suspension, effective until November, in a notice posted on its website just before midnight on Thursday by Adam Smith, the manager of its ambitious program to convert millions of books into a digital format.


Google wants publishers to notify the company about copyrighted books they don't want scanned, effectively requiring the industry to opt out of the program instead of opting in.

That approach rankled the Association of American Publishers.

"Google's announcement does nothing to relieve the publishing industry's concerns," Patricia Schroeder, the trade group's president, said in a statement on Friday. "Google's procedure shifts the responsibility for preventing infringement to the copyright owner rather than the user, turning every principle of copyright law on its ear."

Google wants to scan copyright-protected books from three major American libraries - Harvard, Michigan and Stanford.



The project troubles publishers because they fear making digital versions of copyrighted books available on the internet could open the door to unauthorised duplication and distribution, as happens in the music industry.

Publishers are also upset that Google might be able to generate more advertising revenue by offering an index of copyrighted books and so far hasn't offered to pay any royalties for its potential financial gains. Google ranks among the internet's most profitable companies, having earned $US712 million ($A922 million) on revenue of $US2.6 billion during the first half of this year.

Google executives have positioned the scanning project as a largely altruistic endeavour that will make it easier for people around the world to read the valuable - and often rare - material stockpiled in libraries. The company hasn't disclosed how much the project will cost, but it is expected to require a substantial investment.

The attacks on Google's handling of copyrighted material extend beyond books.

One of Google's most popular features - a section that compiles news stories posted on thousands of websites - has also triggered claims of copyright infringement.

Agence France-Presse, a French news agency, is suing for damages of at least $US17.5 million, alleging "Google News" is illegally capitalising on its copyrighted material.

Copyright © 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
