Monday, August 17, 2009

Lessing's Thoughts on the Google Book Settlement

Whether you are for the Google Book Settlement or like us against it, the rhetoric is going to get louder over the next few weeks as the decision draws ever closer.

What is clear is that the deal is complex and that much of the debate has been in trying to understand the words. US law experts, libraries, academics, publishers and authors have all voiced their thoughts and many are still lost in the words. Whatever the outcome, it will impact the digital marketplace in the future and has raised the issues of orphan works, fair use, commons licence, rights reversals and even copyright itself.

What have we really learnt from this protracted exercise?

Irrespective, of your viewpoint we would urge readers to listen to a 30 min audio by Larry Lessig, Professor of Law and founder of the Stanford Center for Internet and Society speaking at the Berkman Center workshop “Alternative Approaches to Open Digital Libraries in the Shadow of the Google Book Search Settlement” held July 31, 2009.Sponsored by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, the Harvard Law School Library, and Professors Charles Nesson, John Palfrey and Phil Malone.

The Berkman Center have also kindly given us a link to a video of the presentation

He may not have the answers but his perspective makes you think about the bigger challenges and opportunities.