Google Books

Google Books allows users to search for full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned and converted to text using optical character recognition. It was estimated in 2012, Google's database encompassed more than 30 million scanned books. Just recently, not all books are distributed as “full complete” books. However, books in the public domain are available in "full view" and free for download. While in-print books where permission has been granted, the number of viewable pages is limited to a "preview" set by a variety of access restrictions and security measures by the author.  For books where permission has been denied, Google only permits a viewable "snippet" of the book. This may consist of maybe only two to three lines of text from the book itself. 

On November 15, a U.S. copyright federal judge ruled in favor of Google after a long 8 year legal battle. It allows Google’s book-scanning project to make complete copies of books without an author’s permission. Judge Denny Chin of New York ruled that “Google’s move to digitize millions of university and commercially available books is on its face a violation of the owners’ copyrights. But Google’s limited use of the work makes the scanning “fair use” under copyright law”. It was also cited that Google’s scanned book project benefits society by making books more available, discovered via internet or university library searches. Google countered the argument of copyright infringement and it provides links to where the books can be legitimately purchased. In a legal statement Judge Chin wrote, “In my view, Google Books provides significant public benefits. It 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. It has become an invaluable research tool that permits students, teachers, librarians, and others to more efficiently identify and locate books”. The Authors Guild was disappointed in the judge’s ruling and stated that it would immediately appeal the decision. Last year, Google compromised with the Authors Guild agreeing to obtain permission of rights holders for the scanning of university library books before it was added to Google’s database. 

From my perspective it seems Google’s book scanning project is a benefit to society, but Google’s main reason for digital copies of books may be strictly for profit. Even though it doesn’t post ads to view books, it still ranks book links and forces authors and publishers to pay for top results.