Google and Authors Reach Agreement

Google’s controversial plan to make copyrighted books searchable has been the target of legal challenges ever since the web giant announced it.

Now, as reported by Publishers’ Weekly on November 11,

�Both Google and authors and publishers stressed that the settlement will create a way for rights holders to receive payment for their works that appear in Google Book Search, but how much that will be and when rights holders will begin receiving money is uncertain. Authors whose books have already been scanned eventually will receive at least $60 per work.�

Here are some places you can find the details:

http://books.google.com/googlebooks/agreement/ –An explanation of what the settlement means to Google Book Search

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6610487.html?nid=3329 –PW article regarding the settlement

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/technology/internet/29google.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin -NY Times article about the settlement

Thanks to Marilyn Collins and the IBPA(Independent Book Publishers Association).