Google defeats authors’ claims over copyright
GOOGLE has succeeded in defending itself against publishers who claimed its scanning of millions of books was a case of copyright infringement.
US judge Denny Chin dismissed the case brought against Google by the US Authors Guild, siding with the search giant’s claim that its actions were in line with fair use.
The decision will let Google continue expanding its library, which it says helps readers find books they wouldn’t otherwise find.
The case is part of an ongoing dispute between authors, publishers and Google over compensation for Google’s use of books online.
Publishers came to a compromise with Google in 2008 whereby Google would pay $125m (£78m) to compensate the writers. However, the settlement was thrown out in 2011 after a court said it gave Google a monopoly. Publishers came to a new agreement with Google in 2012.
Authors Guild director Paul Aiken said the group is disappointed by the decision, but said the case is far from over and the group plans to appeal, “Google made unauthorised digital editions of nearly all of the world’s valuable copyright-protected literature and profits from displaying those works,” Aiken said.