The Google Books Debate Rages On

As promised here are a few of the latest developments in the ongoing Google Books debate.

1. Librarians are lining up against the project. They are citing problems with conducting research.

Librarians apply scrutiny to Google Books at Berkeley con
(LINK)
Google Book Search - Is it The Last Library?
(LINK)

2. The European Commission discussed how best to digitise works. The biggest difference between their proposal and Google's is that there will be no scanning of in-copyright works.

EU consults on problems of digitising libraries
(LINK)
EU likes Google's book registry idea
(LINK)

3. Meanwhile Germany weighs in with its opinion.

Germany says Google Books violates international law
(LINK)

4. The Anti versus Pro arguments are succinctly laid out in the following articles.

(ANTI) Internet Archive stares down Google book mine
(LINK)
(PRO) A spirited defense of the Google Book Search settlement
(LINK)

[for those who want a truly ANTI view read Amazon's condemnation of the project HERE]

5. Sony has something to add.

Sony lines up with Google over Books deal
(LINK)

6. Google has the last word...for now, reminding us that the "social justice and social utility impact" of its project is being lost in the debate.

Google tries to sidestep criticism of $125m book project
(LINK)