The much talked about ambitious E-Books deal by Google now faces opposition from Yahoo and Microsoft after French and German Entities lodged official complaints. This has now drawn government attention with a hearing due today at the House Judiciary Committee. (full report here)
Yahoo and Microsoft against Google Books Deal - SS: books.google.com
According to the deal Google is supposed to pay $125 million to publishers in US for the rights to out-of-print books still holding copyright. Google then plans to scan and keep electronic copies of these books which will be partially accessible to internet public. When a full access is sold the revenue is to be split between the rights holders and Google.
European entities complained as it involves a provision for Google that could possibly affect international copy right under the disguise of “raised concerns in Europe.” Now Yahoo and Microsoft have joined the opposition accusing Google of monopolizing book markets; driving prices up and taking an upper hand in Search Engine market. Google on the other hand hails it as “a groundbreaking agreement with authors and publishers”. Well it definitely has broken some ground form under its competitor’s feet.
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