It’s on: Open Book Alliance versus Google
In response to the Google Book Search Settlement, a bunch of party-poopers are forming the Open Book Alliance, which opposes Google’s and anyone else’s book digitization process unless it is: “undertaken in the open, grounded in sound public policy, and mindful of the need to promote long-term benefits for consumers rather than isolated commercial interests.”
Here’s a glimpse at this unholy alliance:
- Amazon
- The American Society of Journalists and Authors
- The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses
- The Internet Archive
- Microsoft
- The New York Library Association
- Small Press Distribution
- The Special Libraries Association
- Yahoo
Frankly, I’d find it hard to go against the Internet Archive, one of the most noble and important projects in human history, on any matter. But throw in libraries and a smattering big tech, and you have one hell of an opponent.
