Google’s library a copyright hell – When all is scanned and done, where is the archive headed?

Reactions

Google

Plan compensation

That Google stands accused of copyright violation is nothing new. Its book-scanning project has met with considerable resistance in many countries since it began in 2004: many insist it violates intellectual property rights.

In the US, Google suggested a settlement. Associated Press reported that Google would pay $125 million (850 million yuan) to create a Book Rights Registry where authors and publishers can register works and receive pay. However, many authors opposed it, claiming it violated anti-trust and copyright laws.

The Mountain View search giant is in the final stages of reaching a settlement with two US copyright organizations, and a US court may issue a final ruling on November 6.

In China, Google proposed two solutions for its complaints. One is to offer authors who apply for compensation before June 5, 2010, at least 410 yuan per book and 63 percent of future revenue generated by online reading: the other is to file a lawsuit before January 5, 2010.

But Google China recently said the company may have to offer a better settlement.

“We will listen carefully to everyone’s concerns and will work hard to address them the company said in its statement. It said the goal of Google Books “remains bringing millions of the world’s difficult-to-find, out-of-print books back to life.”

Authority

Courts an option

Authorities have stepped up condemning Google.

The China Written Works Copyright Society, a government-affiliated group in charge of copyrights, posted a notice on its Web site calling on authors to “bravely stand up and adamantly defend their leal rights.”

The society wants authors to check Google Books to see if their works have been scanned and distributed without compensation, and to contact them if they have.

“Google’s infringement on (the rights of) Chine authors is most serious,” Zhang Hongbo, deputy director-general with the group, told the Beijing News.

“They should first ask permision from the authors, then pay and only after that use their works,” he says.

Wang Danluo, an official with the society, says Google’s response to the accusations has been neither clear nor satisfying.

“First of all, thy still have not admitted that they are infringing on anyone’s copyright,” she says. “We want Google to admit its infringement, apologize and authorize a formal negotiator to discuss compensation for the authors.”

Wang says nearly 80 authors have contacted the society and entrusted it to win them a fair settlement. “We are still debating whether or not to take legal action, but it’s an option,” she says.