Information for Copyright Holders of Books (12/11/08)

A message from Donna Ferullo, Director of the University Copyright Office

As many of you might be aware, Google is currently scanning as many books as they can for their Google book project. Publishers and authors of the books still protected by copyright filed a law suit against Google for copyright infringement.  Recently, all parties to the law suit entered into a tentative settlement agreement. The agreement has to be approved by the United State District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Court has scheduled a hearing in June, 2009.

If you are an author who retained the copyright in your book(s), then you are potentially a member of the settlement class in this law suit. Between January 5, 2009 and February 27, 2009, you might receive a notice from legal counsel in the case that explains your rights and options under the settlement agreement.

Please read the notice carefully since there are time sensitive issues specified in the document. The settlement agreement can be viewed here. For general information about the agreement, members of the Purdue University community may contact Donna L. Ferullo, Director, Purdue University Copyright Office. For legal advice, please consult with your own personal attorney. For information about the Google book project, you may contact James L. Mullins, Dean of Libraries, or Beth McNeil, Associate Dean for Information Resources and Scholarly Communication.