Google's online university pauses scanning copyright material whilst the project is scrutinised for legal problems.

Essentially, the project proposes to make available a wealth of literature on-line, claiming to be an opportunity for the public to access esoteric, out-of-print tomes.

The publishing industry is worried that the onus for spotting copyright violations will now fall on the copyright owner, not the potential plagiariser in both the books being scanned, or in subsequent use by the on-line community.

I have my suspicions about Google's commercial interests in this and other projects. It seems to be an extension of the supermarket bullyboy tactics to control both supply and demand in an industry; ultimately in this case, every book published on earth.

So, do we applaud Google for their commitment to preserving and distributing rare literature, or are the gaps in what they choose to scan too commercially convenient to be coincidence?

Heh. In the current socio-political climate, I don't trust a corporation as far as I can throw it. Sure, they may be aboveboard . . . but they'll have to prove it. I ain't putting my faith in business anymore than I would in politics.

On the other hand, if they are legits, then what a wonderful resource to have easily accessable. Still, I'm watching those suckers.