Google books: deadline approaches

GuyClapperton 0 551 Views

The deadline for authors to object to the inclusion of their works on Google Books is approaching. Google maintains that this will bring books to loads more people than before and authors including Ursula Le Guin maintain Google is trying to walk off with people's copyright.

OK, declaration of vested interests - as my profile information will confirm to members of this forum, I am a published author - my most recent book, "", came out in October.

I have a reason for mentioning it, other than a plug. Because it's an understanding of social media that leads me to believe the Google Book thing is actually a very good idea except for one detail.

Social media is all about sharing. People offer links for free, people offer help. It enables us to be the people we want to be and not just productivity units, if you like. I've offered small bits of help and information on Twitter to people who've asked and been repaid tenfold in commissions, personal branding, all sorts. It works.

But it only works if the information and content is out there. If (say) my book were available in its entirety on Google then yes, technically someone could read the whole thing for nothing. But - and this is only a guess - I believe they're just as likely to go and buy a copy after enjoying part of it as sit there and read the lot. They're more likely to track me down (easy) and ask me to an event, get me to do some work for them, whatever, after sampling some of the work online, assuming they like what they see.

This is why I'm broadly in favour of what Google is trying to do. For a writer like me it's honestly all good. And the area in which I disagree with Google? That's simple. As Ursula Le Guin has pointed out, there will be territories in which authors have specifically to opt out if they're not interested.

This, I believe, is plain wrong. Le Guin owns the right to her work, I own the rights to mine. Contrary to her best interests though I believe her views may be, 'help yourself' should never be the default position.

But make it opt-in and it will have my full support.

Dani AI

Generated

A short, up-to-date summary and practical steps for authors (brief history, then what to do)

The proposed Amended Settlement Agreement (ASA) that many authors objected to was rejected by Judge Denny Chin on March 22, 2011 — he concluded the ASA went “too far” (the court flagged the opt‑out default as a central problem). (dockets.justia.com) Google later made a private settlement with the Association of American Publishers (Oct. 2012) that gave publishers a choice about participation, but the Authors Guild litigation continued. (money.cnn.com) In the U.S. district court (Nov. 14, 2013) and again on appeal (Second Circuit, Oct. 16, 2015), judges found Google’s scanning + snippet/search function to be a transformative fair use; the Supreme Court declined review in April 2016, leaving those rulings in place. (law.justia.com)

What that means in practice: if the title is under your control you can remove or control previews via Google’s Partner/Publisher tools; Google’s Help pages explain how rights‑holders can deactivate previews or remove books they submitted, and how to register a title to exclude it from the Library Project or submit a formal legal complaint for metadata‑only entries. ()

How to act right now (quick checklist)

  • Search for your title on Google Books / Google Play to see how it’s displayed (snippet, preview, metadata only).
  • If you control rights, sign into the Partner Center to deactivate previews or stop sales. ()
  • If your book only appears because a library was scanned, follow Google’s “register/exclude” or removal instructions and involve your publisher or rights agent as needed. ()

Notes for the thread: ’s marketing point is valid — sampling can increase discoverability — and is right to stress context and metadata. The legal outcome in the U.S. favors searchable snippets, but jurisdictions differ (some courts abroad have reached different conclusions), so treat international issues and orphan‑works concerns separately and get counsel if removal is contested. (law.justia.com)

For anyone new here (e.g., ): start by checking the Google display for your title, then follow the Partner Center / Help Center steps above; if you don’t control the rights, contact your publisher or an IP lawyer before taking more forceful steps. ()

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital
InsightsDigital 57 Posting Virtuoso

I also see this as a good way to enhance visibility to your book, especially if you optimize your website to include texts from you book - context, context, context.

Member Avatar for GuyClapperton
GuyClapperton 12 Staff Writer

Yes, but you have the right to do that with your own property. This, as Le Guin points out, is an imposed change on what may be done with your property by others. Whereas I think what's being done is likely to be beneficial I'm concerned that my rights and those of other authors are being altered without consultation.

Member Avatar for jennypitts
jennypitts 3 Junior Poster

I was really not aware of this issue. So I will research on it! Thanks a lot for the info!

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