Slow down of book scanning by Google

[Tork1945]

Without much publicity Google has slowed down the rate of (book) scanning they do for university libraries and other institutions, as reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Google Begins to Scale Back Its Scanning of Books From University Libraries - Technology - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Google isn't saying whether it has pulled back from its longstanding goal of collecting all of the world's knowledge. Some of its digitization efforts have shifted to Europe. Much of the company's public focus lately has been not on mass digitization but on how to use individuals' data to create more focused advertising and online browsing. Meanwhile, a copyright-infringement lawsuit brought against it by authors' and publishers' groups drags on.

A commentator has written a few lines about the possible reason for Google to slow down scanning.

The company has been digitizing books since 2006 and converted millions of books to digital form. It could be that Google has hit a maturation point or it could be something else. For example, has Google gotten what it needs out of this effort (whatever that might be)? (There were rumors early on what why Google might be doing this work, e.g., making its search engine better or capturing more eyeballs on the Internet, and maybe those needs have been satisfied.)

It will be interesting to see in the future what will happen with the scanning activities of Google and what will be the reaction of the academic institutions (Library of Congress, all the universities).

Tork1945

[Tim West]

Most publications from the time of the Great War are in the public domain. So infringement suits shouldn't be a issue in that regard.

I think they are moving to further monetize their "book" efforts. And to keep publishers happy....they could be rethinking their practices with perspective partners in mind.

I just wish Google or someone would put the Ferko collection online in a worthwhile resolution. Right now the scans are way too small.

[Tork1945]

Originally Posted by Tim West

Most publications from the time of the Great War are in the public domain. So infringement suits shouldn't be a issue in that regard.

According to US law about everything published before 1922 is in the public domain. In Europe there are copyright laws per state separately, which are all more or less different. So easily it can be that a person who is in the US has access and another located in Europe (let's say Italy) has not. The queer thing is that even books dating back to about 1880 are sometimes not accessible.

So, one of the reasons for Google maybe the endless differences in copyright law with as a result countless (costly) lawsuits and also extra costs in making sure that country-wise the right law is abided in viewing the scans done by Google.

By the way I don't see any problem why the picture collection of the great Ed A. Ferko is not shown at a somewhat larger format, and in its entirety. They will still be small enough to make it impossible to use for publications. It has probably to do with money.

Tork1945

[Tim West]

Originally Posted by Tork1945

By the way I don't see any problem why the picture collection of the great Ed A. Ferko is not shown at a somewhat larger format, and in its entirety. They will still be small enough to make it impossible to use for publications. It has probably to do with money.

Tork1945

It's always about money....And the general lack of popularity of our subject perhaps. So in the mean time, collections collect dust.