An interesting series started by consultancy EPS, on the Google Print (where Google is scanning books for online delivery) controversy, and in the first essay in this series, Adam Hodgkin, founder of xrefer argues that publishers should insist on a number of ‘red lines’ which Google must not be allowed to cross if they are to scan printed material. He also urges the search engine to be more flexible in negotiating appropriately different agreements with different types of book publisher.
“It is unlikely that a ‘monkish’ objection to the automated scanning of privately owned printed books will stand the test of time, evolving caselaw, and not yet invented technologies in the twenty first century….Google Print will work and it will be good for authors, publishers, readers, and even for librarians…Google Print can look after the long tail, whilst we concentrate on growing a new one.”
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