Jacob Blicharz- Article #2

"The Global Antitrust Battle Over Google's Library," an article written on Saturday, October 31st, by CNN's Theo Emery explains the continuous battle between Google and groups representing authors and publishers when Google planned to copy and digitize books. Emery begins his article with an allusion to Magellan, one of history's most famous sailors, saying: "When Google announced plans in 2004 to scan millions of tomes tucked into library stacks across the country, admirers embraced the ambitious project as a digital undertaking as visionary as Magellan's setting sail around the world." Essentially, if Google succeeds in its plan, it would be one of the most paramount advancements ever to happen, not only in technology, but in the world. The project is currently in a "ferocious legal free-for-all" throughout the entire globe. A New York federal judge asked Google to revise its plan by November 9th and it will then be closely examined by its opponents and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
This article is a continuation of Kelly Thomas' first article, "Google Lets You Custom Print Millions of Books," but analyzes the battle in more detail. Unfortunately, the case proposes a number of significant issues. How will new markets for old books be created without ripping off authors and publishers? How will the new technology be dealt with, without preventing competition? How to preserve all that when, in this case Google, is pioneering the revolution and could easily make huge amounts of profit? These are all issues and questions that will need to be dealt with if this project successfully comes through. One commentator spoke of the dispute calling it, "The World Series of Antitrust."
I think this case is an extremely significant case that needs to be properly handled because it ultimately effects the world of digital publishing. If this plan comes through and Google is able to place books, poems, etc. online for people to view, it will definitely put Google at an extremely privileged position in the world, or market, of digital books. There are famous people on both sides of the debate from German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a strong opponent to disability rights groups, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and the National Grange as supporters.
What should we make of all this? With e-books ready to launch throughout the Internet, questions are definitely raised. Will this deal benefit the public along with authors and publishers, while providing only minimal profit to Google? Will it completely push Google ahead of all rivalry, making them essentially a monopoly? As a student, I would love for this plan to fall through because readings would be able to be accessed online and I would not have to go through the trouble of finding and buying books, but is unfair for those authors and publishers. It should be interesting how this settlement ends up and we all will definitely be hearing about the outcome soon.

*http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1933055,00.html?CNN=yes