Google Says Book Search is Fair Use, by Andrew Albanese

It’s finally here: Google’s long anticipated, full-throated fair use defense for its library scanning program. In its motion for Summary Judgment in the Authors Guild vs. Google, filed on July 27, Google attorneys argue that its keyword searchable index of books scanned from library shelves “passes with ease” the ultimate test of fair use, because it provides “enormous transformative benefit” to the public, without “reducing the value” of any authors’ work. According to media reports, meanwhile, the Authors Guild filed "a sealed motion" for Summary Judgment by hand, with a redacted version reportedly to be filed later.