March 6th, 2007
Microsoft publicly bashes Google's Book Scanning project
Paragraph after paragraph of Google bashing from Microsoft explains why Google's book scanning effort is evil. The problem, as Microsoft sees it, is Google's blatant lack of respect for copyright — they simply scan every book regardless of its copyright status. Not only that, they also have potential to monetize the hard work of this material.
Microsoft takes issue with Google's "opt out" strategy too — what happens if hundreds of book scanning projects are undertaken by various companies? Publishers will have spend more and more time actively seeking out these companies to request their removal. The only "fair" way to do this is through an "opt in" method.
I think Microsoft has some very valid points — and I agree that Google's efforts could be classified as "unfair". The project does give publishers access to many new potential buyers, but is Google's stepping over the fine line called "fair use"? What do you think? Does Google have the right to copy material regardless of copyright?
Garett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Googling Google via Email alerts or RSS.
