Innovation and New Product Development Case Study

Google Print Program: Encouraging 'Fair Use' or Copyright 'Infringement'?

OR

Abstract:
Google launched its ‘Print Program’ in December 2004. With the objective of integrating all the books in the world into on-line content, it approached various publishers and libraries. But the conventional libraries and publishing houses felt that the Google ‘Print Program’ violated copyright laws and filed a lawsuit against the company. They felt that Google amassed books without seeking permission of the copyright-holders, which affected the revenues of authors and publishers. The controversy forced Google to suspend its ‘Print Program’ until November 2005.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To highlight the controversy involving the fair use of the copyright law
• To discuss whether retrieving and indexing of unfound books on the web was fair use or infringement
• To discuss the impact of suspension of the ‘Print Program’ on Google’s growth plans.

Keywords : Google; Print service programme; Expansion; Search engine; Copyright; Copyright violation; Innovation Management Case Study Mass digitisation programme; On-line computer library; Library project; Association of American University Press; Copyright Law

Contents:

• Google's Expansion: From Search Engine to Print Program
• The Mass Digitization Program
• Copyright Controversies