tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post8971399529816668234..comments2024-03-29T03:51:04.429-04:00Comments on Pimp My Novel: Speaking of Our Benevolent OverlordsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-54528753996451037022009-09-24T09:34:59.770-04:002009-09-24T09:34:59.770-04:00A lot of readers have the attitude "I bought ...A lot of readers have the attitude "I bought it; it's my book." When you buy a book, what you own is the physical object. The contents are the intellectual property of the copyright holder. That's why you can't go down to Kinko's and photocopy a whole book to resell or give away. You can give away or resell the physical book that you own, but you can't legally reproduce and distribute its contents. <br /><br />The issue gets a lot more complex when a book is no longer a physical object but a file. You can make a copy with a couple of clicks, at no cost to you, and without someone across the counter at Kinko's explaining that it's illegal. You can keep your copy *and* give it away. The file doesn't get dog-eared and musty with time (which might make someone prefer a new copy). <br /><br />I'm glad that DOJ is paying attention to these issues. The libraries that agreed to let Google scan their collections were not the books' copyright holders.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-21369155906063809792009-09-23T11:10:43.918-04:002009-09-23T11:10:43.918-04:00amazon + google = gamazongle?amazon + google = gamazongle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-57068073077972780342009-09-23T07:30:14.014-04:002009-09-23T07:30:14.014-04:00Or the Federal Trade Commission?Or the Federal Trade Commission?Literature Crazyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11745445935235997199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-41306594480134346742009-09-23T07:22:49.445-04:002009-09-23T07:22:49.445-04:00Is the SEC involved in this debate, seeing as how ...Is the SEC involved in this debate, seeing as how (to me) this seems like the practice is bordering on monopoly?Literature Crazyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11745445935235997199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-59191291170944434382009-09-22T14:33:31.679-04:002009-09-22T14:33:31.679-04:00I keep a "database of copyrighted material&qu...I keep a "database of copyrighted material" in my home: it's called a bookshelf, and it's full of printed books. Come to think of it, the public library branch down the street from me keeps the same kind of "database," only with a lot more copyrighted material in it--and there, anyone who walks in the door can view as much copyrighted material as he or she wants! <br /><br />Google's database is simply a high-tech version of these simple, papercentric examples. It's what Google DOES with the copyrighted material that matters, and thus far Google has only allowed viewers to read short snippets of text (unless the content is either in the public domain or Google has received express permission from the rights-holders).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-17832848670009925422009-09-22T14:19:09.593-04:002009-09-22T14:19:09.593-04:00I only wish Google books would focus on textbooks ...I only wish Google books would focus on textbooks so I could save a bit more per semester. That is it to the extent I want Google involved with any type of book. Once you have a database of something on the internet it will always lead to piracy. Google's employees are not saints.Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-73116440517323483542009-09-22T13:41:26.078-04:002009-09-22T13:41:26.078-04:00I'm with Tricia. Google had no right to make t...I'm with Tricia. Google had no right to make their own copies of copyrighted works to begin with.<br /><br />That said, I LOVE the public domain works in Google Book Search. It has made doing research so much easier! I was recently researching Bethlem Hospital (Bedlam) and was able to find a lot of great old books on GBS that were not available at my library.<br /><br />I don't know if Google is the right entity for this, but I fervently hope that we can maintain access to public domain works on the internet. Maybe have it under the Library of Congress?Mercy Loomishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07552972871775363257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-50928809267293056332009-09-22T12:08:59.355-04:002009-09-22T12:08:59.355-04:00I think Google does some amazing things. I'm s...I think Google does some amazing things. I'm still reveling in the fact that you can go to Google maps and virtually walk through any place in the world. Amazing!<br />But as far as them keeping full scans of any book- this is a slippery slope.Anita Saxenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12444339735834716979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-5694528186815676822009-09-22T12:06:43.383-04:002009-09-22T12:06:43.383-04:00I have to believe book piracy is only a problem fo...I have to believe book piracy is only a problem for new releases. We can already pick up books just a year old at cut rate prices at used book stores and Amazon. So if Google is only posting books in the public domain, i.e. old books, I can't see them really affecting the biz. Any thoughts on that, Eric?Keith Popelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18414205709400912353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-72285307518034882242009-09-22T12:02:08.855-04:002009-09-22T12:02:08.855-04:00Is there a new definition for copyright? What, exa...Is there a new definition for copyright? What, exactly, does it mean if not "you can't copy this without my permission"? Good for the DOJ!Kelly Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08324622421797199560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-85738041011599455612009-09-22T11:15:43.500-04:002009-09-22T11:15:43.500-04:00I love much of what Google has done for the intern...I love much of what Google has done for the internet world but Google should not be allowed to keep the copies of copyrighted books it took without permission. That in itself was piracy. We all know what happens when huge corporations control any product or service. It becomes really hard to fight such power and money, even if you are 100 percent right.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-63414148337888980882009-09-22T11:13:52.574-04:002009-09-22T11:13:52.574-04:00Google believes they are allowed to keep full scan...<i>Google believes they are allowed to keep full scans of any book—even those still under copyright—in their database</i><br /><br />Congrats! This week's Over-Inflated Ego award goes to Google. Pick up the "giant head" trophy on your way out, and good luck with getting it through the door.<br /><br />Good post. I wonder how long these battles will go on before anything is settled. And the general public has no clue that all of this is even taking place (which is 50% scary and 50% humorous). They'll just ride whatever wave that results from it. Very interesting.Lydia Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328254761920829040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733835506387656648.post-24527597019745047152009-09-22T10:46:21.618-04:002009-09-22T10:46:21.618-04:00I would love a Google version of Project Gutenberg...I would love a Google version of Project Gutenberg. Having to download PG's books when I don't have an e-reader can be a little annoying, although it is worth it.<br /><br />I agree with you on the works still in copyright though. I know plenty of people who read pirated versions of Harry Potter and Twilight on their computers and those versions are usually just badly scanned copies of the original. If people actually had easy access to good copies of books, I can see book piracy becoming a problem like music and film piracy is.Mimzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17171454664231209553noreply@blogger.com