Comments on: MultiGrain Discussion: Authors Guild Suit http://www.against-the-grain.com/2011/09/multigrain-discussion-authors-guild-suit/ Linking librarians, publishers and vendors Sat, 18 May 2013 19:36:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Dennis Brunning http://www.against-the-grain.com/2011/09/multigrain-discussion-authors-guild-suit/comment-page-1/#comment-37911 Dennis Brunning Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:48:02 +0000 http://www.against-the-grain.com/?p=7741#comment-37911 Copyright law has not changed; perhaps it should, but it has not. Google and HathiTrust, taking its cue from Napster and others, decided to scan the intellectual property that sat on the shelves. Unfortunately there is difference between a book and its intellectual property. It’s prankish at the least and theft at the most; do first and ask for forgiveness–or expect a rule change under some class action agreement or legislation that they claim should be enacted for the “greater good.” HathiTrust—keep alert to the elephant hunters stalking you. University lawyers are bad litigators; they settle so they can get to cocktail hour early. The rest of us—start thinking about a lawful and profession-enhancing way of sharing this stuff with the world. Copyright law has not changed; perhaps it should, but it has not. Google and HathiTrust, taking its cue from Napster and others, decided to scan the intellectual property that sat on the shelves. Unfortunately there is difference between a book and its intellectual property.

It’s prankish at the least and theft at the most; do first and ask for forgiveness–or expect a rule change under some class action agreement or legislation that they claim should be enacted for the “greater good.”

HathiTrust—keep alert to the elephant hunters stalking you. University lawyers are bad litigators; they settle so they can get to cocktail hour early. The rest of us—start thinking about a lawful and profession-enhancing way of sharing this stuff with the world.

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