Lawsuit Over Google's Book Search Project Coming To an End With Settlement

The lawsuit over Google's book scanning project, Google Book Search, is nearly over. Google, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers have settled their disagreement over whether the project was a violation of copyright law. As part of the deal, Google will set up a Book Rights Registry, amounting to $125 million, which will pay rights holders whose materials have already gone into the project. Many authors see the deal as one that opens up electronic access to materials for users. Major research libraries have indicated support for the settlement. It still awaits an ok from the court.