Wall Street Journal- Google

Today in the Wall Street Jounal, there was a really interesting article about google and a settlement made with book publishers. A sweeping $125 million settlement between Google Inc. and the publishing industry made it possible for Google to make many millions of digital books available on the Web. With this they will make payments to authors for the ability to post their work. If approved by a federal court, the deal, struck after two years of negotiations, will let individuals and institutions buy online access to copyrighted, out-of-print works through Google, and will provide free online views of them at public libraries. To have them available, titles that are still in print will be available only if publishers and authors agree to include them. This is a revelation that brings technology and literacy to the next level. To be able to view the books online will enhance the opportunity of those in the Second Life who have their discussion groups. With the millions of people who use the Google applications, this is now another way to use Google to enhance the way we learn and live. I think it is great to be able to access so many titles without having to go to the book store.