inside books--a short life

[Muriel]

The current competition between Amazon and Google will be short-lived, when it becomes apparent that the 'permissions' granted by publishers for digitizing and posting some or all of an authors' copywritten material is a right NOT granted in the contracts between the rights-holder and the book publisher. I see costly legal problems for them all in the near future, when authors' permissions for such licensing has not been sought or granted, as is largely the case in the current situation.

[cbp]

I am not too familiar with the Google book excerpt thing, but have written 2 books. In the contracts, I assigned copyright to the publisher. Press releases from Google about this are saying:

It is working with publishers to provide indexed versions of texts for web surfers

They are doing it with the co-operation of publishers. Google aren't plagarising the books. I can't wait until Google indexes my books (doubt it). If they did --> more exposure --> more sales --> more money for me :-)

CBP

[cbp]

Forgot to mention:

Muriel wrote:

current competition between Amazon and Google will be short-lived

BBC news story says:

Amazon.com began a service called Search Inside the Book which allows customers to search and preview content.

This led to speculation that Amazon might compete with Google as a general search provider.

But Google said Amazon was a partner in its new project, and its results page directed users to the Amazon website.

CBP

[minstrel]

Amazon and some of the publishers' websites have been doing this for some time - allowing you to read portions of a chapter or other forms of excerpts - it works as a "teaser", much like dust-jackets in book stores. I remember one recently where about 20 pages were available... that one I know was on a publishers site endorsed by the author, since it was the author who sent me the URL.

It seems to me to be good business for authors, at least as long as there is provided a handy link to purchase the book. If what Google is doing is directing people to Amazon, I don't see authors objecting to the increased exposure...

[ronniethedodger]

I have one book that I advertise from Amazon. I got the affiliateship with Amazon for just that one book, and because it had that "Look Inside the Book" feature for it. The text from some of the pages in the book dealt directly with the content of the page that I was displaying it on.

About a month ago..ummm Mid-November I think...I noticed that you could no longer look inside that particular book any more.

The feature was there, now it is gone. I don't know why that is...just thought I would pass the info on.

[Muriel]

Originally Posted by cbp

I am not too familiar with the Google book excerpt thing, but have written 2 books. In the contracts, I assigned copyright to the publisher. Press releases from Google about this are saying:

They are doing it with the co-operation of publishers. Google aren't plagarising the books. I can't wait until Google indexes my books (doubt it). If they did --> more exposure --> more sales --> more money for me :-)

If you gave away your copyright--a dreadfully costly gift--then you may find that instead of --more sales--more money, you may find 'their' books ( your authorship) downloadable-in-full or in a cheap edition, in Print-on-demand formats. Remember, the copyright holder has ALL rights and in any format, at any price--excerpted (indexed) or in full. You may not like, but will have to accept the 'exposure'. Sorry.

[Muriel]

Originally Posted by minstrel

Amazon and some of the publishers' websites have been doing this for some time - allowing you to read portions of a chapter or other forms of excerpts - it works as a "teaser", much like dust-jackets in book stores. I remember one recently where about 20 pages were available... that one I know was on a publishers site endorsed by the author, since it was the author who sent me the URL.

It seems to me to be good business for authors, at least as long as there is provided a handy link to purchase the book. If what Google is doing is directing people to Amazon, I don't see authors objecting to the increased exposure...

1. Most good contracts limit the number of words ( e.g.750) and format licenses, and usually specify the use of those words or small percentages to be used for strictly 'promotional' purposes. Beyond the normal such outlets, publishers must secure the author's approval ( minimally consultation). None of those stipulations have been met in the current 'arrangements' with the cooperating publishers in this new expropriation of author's rights.
2. There is a potential for grave injury, already being felt by cookbook authors; and more serious concern being raised by other non-fiction authors, especially of prescriptive healthcare works. Many such professionals worry that selective 'exposure' to the wrong or incomplete 20% of their advice could lead to improper application, that might do great harm. It might even expose a doctor-author to a legal quagmire.
--Clearly one-size does not fit all, and may threaten many..including the creeping infringement of legal contracts, the very language of which are being abbrogated with not even a whimper. It does NOT bode well for these and other reasons.[/b]

[minstrel]

Hi, Muriel:

Welcome to WebProWorld and thanks for posting this information. You make some good points...

I was assuming that what was being proposed or piloted was with the consent of authors - if that's not true, I don't blame you in the slightest for being alarmed and angry - I would be too if I had written anything Google or Amazon would be interested in quoting...

As I said, one of the reasons I thought the author's consent was obtained is because in one case it was the author herself who pointed me to the excerpt - and it was a long excerpt.

[Mel]

Copyright law expressly provides for "fair Use" excerpts of copyrighted materials to be used, and the use of passages from a copyrighted book for purposes of review are often cited as an example of fair use.

It may well be that Amazons Look inside The Book feature is covered by fair use provisions of copyright laws, but in any case I doubt very much if any author who wants to sell books is going to decide that they would rather not have their books sold by Amazon as opposed to retaining absolute copyright protection.