kaled - 11:07 am on May 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

I could mistaken, but I believe that the act of copying is a breach of copyright irrespective of whether any use is made of the material or not.

For instance, if I copy a DVD and lock it away in a cupboard and never watch it, I have still breached copyright by copying it.

If Google copy material wholesale without permission, they are breaching copyright, irrespective of the reasons. However, the punishment would be dependant on the use, as would be the likelihood of someone initiating legal action.

Kaled.