Judge rules Google Books as ‘fair use’

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Google’s goal to make millions of books searchable online won a major battle Thursday when a federal judge ruled that the web giant’s efforts fell within the bounds of U.S. copyright law.
The Authors Guild originally filed suit against Google eight years ago, claiming the mass scanning of books was done without the permission of authors and publishers. Opponents also accused Google’s endeavor as being profit motivated.
However, in the ruling U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin disagreed, writing that Google’s book scans constituted fair use under copyright law, which permits limited reproduction of copyrighted works for purposes of scholarship and commentary. Chin is the same judge who rejected a $125 million settlement between Google and The Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers in March 2011.

“[Google Books] advances the progress of the arts and sciences, while maintaining respectful consideration for the rights of authors and other creative individuals, and without adversely impacting the rights of copyright holders.”-U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin

Chin went on to write that Google Books actually enhances the sale of books and doesn’t adversely impact copyright holders. Although Google scanned 20 million books in full and lets anyone search the digital texts, users are restricted to only viewing “snippets” if the rights holder hasn’t given approval.
The Authors Guild says they plan to appeal.

READ MORE:

• Perspective on Google Books from Authors Guild Member James Gleick

• Author Ursula Le Guin on her opposition to the terms of the Google Books settlement

• The Art of Google Books

H/T Lauren Ehrler