paidContent.org - Long-standing Book Search Lawsuit Costs Google $125 Million

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

Tameka Kee

paidContent.org
Tuesday, October 28, 2008; 3:07 PM

How much has it cost Google ( NSDQ: GOOG) to scan hundreds of thousands of books and make them available via its Google Book Search? At least $125 million. That's how much the search giant has paid to settle a long-standing class action lawsuit with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers (representing publishers like McGraw-Hill ( NYSE: MHP) and the Penguin Group). The funds will be used to set up a Book Rights Registry that will let U.S. copyright holders register their works so that they can get a cut of any resulting online retail and ad sales. MarketWatch's Therese Poletti wonders if the settlement lines Google up as a future Amazon.com competitor, or at least, a contractor?as Google's scanned books could wind up as part of Kindle's growing library.

Google has been scanning and uploading the books since 2005 with help from various U.S. libraries and universities?and even made moves to try to keep some of the content behind a pay wall in 2007, but the trade groups argued that the practice violated copyright protections. While the battle ensued, a number of similar book search tools emerged, including those developed by publishers like Random House and HarperCollins themselves. The company still has several other copyright disputes to resolve, including its ongoing one with YouTube and its intent to appeal two photography copyright suits in Germany.

Random House, HarperCollins Launch Online Book Searches

Google Book Search Rival Gets $1 Million Grant

Publishers Sue Google On Book Search