Google Stresses Importance of Online Library to Copyrighted Books

September 10, 2009

Washington - Technology giant Google Inc. said to the US Congress during a hearing that the online library is important for millions of Americans to allow them to access copyrighted books which are not available in print.

Recently, Google and copyright holders including book publishers and authors were discussing settlement plans regarding the online library that will provide millions of books in digital version.

The technology giant said the pending settlement will not have negative impact to the retail book industry since most titles are no longer available in print versions or generate low sales.

During a hearing, Google Chief Legal Officer David Drummond said the online library will include the newest books and will drive competition for digital books.

The company also said that if the settlement on book deal will be successful, copyright holders will also benefit since they can market and sell their books.

To date, Google scanned at least 10 million books, with two millions of these can be found in the public domain and are not part of the lawsuit.

Drummond said the Internet users can download free of charge digital versions of books published before 1923.

Meanwhile, other Internet giants including Microsoft and Amazon.com disprove the book deal saying that this might allow Google to monopolize the industry of digital books.

According to previous reports, Microsoft’s legal representative said the pending settlement between Google and copyright holders is an “illegal joint venture”.