Since Google Print decided to make the contents of 5 of the world’s greatest libraries full-text searchable, various groups that represent publishers’ interests have been kicking up a stink. Thus far, I haven’t been able to figure out why. I mean, they’ve got product, but the consumers need to know about it before they’ll buy it. Google Print gives just enough flavour to work out whether it’s worth chasing down a text. You’d think they’d be over the moon with this free service. Nope, they file lawsuits.
So, Search Engine Watch have an interview with Sally Morris, the CEO of the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers. In the piece the interview tries to get at what ALPSP’s problem is, pointing out that ALPSP are very happy to full-text index their website. Morris appears to be unable or unwilling to give an answer beyond stating that “making a digital copy of the whole thing does [violate copyright]”.
She acknowledges that Google Print increases visilibility, and acknowledges that indexing makes content easier to find, but… but there is no but. I really hope Google pushes on with this. The ALPSP don’t appear to have a sensible argument, given Google Print only serves excerpts. If fair use doesn’t cover it, then it ought to. Google Print will do for offline content what google.com does online content. Unless she’s being coy, Sally Morris is in the same boat as the pornographer currently trying it on with Google Images, and it looks just as grubby.