News Post #4

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/technology/companies/21google.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Google recently signed an agreement with the University of Michigan that will give librarians input and oversight on the prices of books within Google's digital library. Google is doing this smoothing over in light of their potential lawsuit settlement of their book-scanning project, because there was a lot of criticism due to "the exclusive rights the agreement gives Google to publish online and to profit from millions of so-called orphan books, out-of-print books that are protected by copyright but whose rights holders cannot be found." However, Sergey Brin, Google co-founder, president of Google's technology, says that "the settlement would allow Google to offer widespread access to millions of books that are largely hidden in the stacks of university libraries." Google's plan is to have one computer at public libraries that will have free access to full texts, and universities can purchase subscriptions in order to make this service available to others. The costs of these subscriptions are based on the universities' student enrollment. Google's new propsal, which they are trying out with the University of Michigan, allows the university to essentially decide the prices. They can "object if it thinks the prices Google charges libraries for access to its digital collection are too high, a major concern of some librarians." Any disputes will be resolved outside of court between the two parties. However, only libraries that lend books to Google for their scanning will be allowed to object unfair pricing. The American Library Association thinks that Google's plan is "a step in the right direction," but is wary that Google will "set artificially high prices for its digial collection." Google is also giving libraries that contribute books discounts.

I think I'm beginning to hate Google. It seems that they are just trying to hush up any naysayers as they continue their plan to dominate American libraries and have all of their collections digitized into their own databases. At the very least, they are throwing these libraries a bone, giving them discounts, etc. just so they'll have fewer incentives to complain during this whole process. I'm pretty sure the American Library Association is keep to what Google is up to, and I am glad they asked the court to oversee this settlement, but it seems that Google will eventually get what they want because they are Google. They're taking over!