ggrot - 5:29 pm on Sep 21, 2005 (gmt 0)

google is going to lose: 1. They scan the entire book as it is and store in their servers (mp3.com anyone? "Simply put, it is not legal to compile a vast database of our members' sound recordings with no permission and no license," [news.com.com...]

This is no different than a library. Or if you make the argument that a library is a non-commercial entity, how about a bookstore (or a used bookstore). A library indexes books too, just not as well.

2. They might just show a snippet for word match, but see this from Google's own Blog.http://#*$!.blogspot.com/uploaded_images/LibraryProject_screenshot-745613.JPG. That's a lot of snipets IMO, especially since Google doesn't add anything to it (no commentary, agree or disagree).

The same argument here. You can look at the book in the bookstore (or read the whole thing) without buying it.

Personally as a student who has had to do tons of research on medical topics and things of that nature, things like book search, and scholar search are an enormous resource - not for violating any copyright (real or in spirit), but for finding useful information.