Google Settlement and Google Book Search and Scan

The New York Times reports that Google has settled its dispute with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers. The settlement allows now for Google to begin making books that are still under copyright searchable and available online.

What does this mean for publishers and authors? And what does the Google settlement mean for readers and booklovers? Will Google change the literary landscape?

What will happen to print on demand? Maybe one day, you will click a button and Google will send you the out of print book as a POD edition. Is this where Google is heading?

I think Google will have an immense impact on book buying/reading habits. I can easily imagine a world where every book, even the out of print books, is instantly available on your computer screen, phone, Kindle or Sony Reader or any other e-reader or your PDA.

Which types of books covers the Google settlement?

A direct quote from the Google website:

"Google Book Search Settlement Agreement: Three years ago, the Authors Guild, the Association of American Publishers and a handful of authors and publishers filed a class action lawsuit against Google Book Search. Today we're delighted to announce that we've settled that lawsuit and will be working closely with these industry partners to bring even more of the world's books online. Together we'll accomplish far more than any of us could have individually, to the enduring benefit of authors, publishers, researchers and readers alike."

Google defines three different categories of books on Google Book Search:

"In-copyright and in-print books" -- In-print books are books that publishers are still actively selling.

"In-copyright but out-of-print books" -- Out-of-print books aren't actively being published or sold.

"Out-of-copyright books" -- Google allows Book Search users to read, download and print these titles.

The Google settlement, however, does not resolve the question of Google's unauthorized scanning of copyrighted books.

A direct quote from the Google website:

"Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Today, together with the authors, publishers, and libraries, we have been able to make a great leap in this endeavor," said Sergey Brin, co-founder & president of technology at Google. "While this agreement is a real win-win for all of us, the real victors are all the readers. The tremendous wealth of knowledge that lies within the books of the world will now be at their fingertips."

I imagine that not too long from today, all books will be accessible on a number of different devices, and a specific e-book reader as the Amazon Kindle might not be the first choice in the ever changing face of book publishing. In fact, I feel that Amazon might feel threatened by the Google settlement as it opens so many revenue doors for Google and choices for readers. But I don't think printed books will ever go away completely.

But ultimately, readers will decide where and how they will purchase their books, be it as the good old hardcover bought in the bookstore next door or they will download an e-book. I will be definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next after the Google settlement.