Google plans to commercialize library content

The University of Michigan library was aware that Google has a commercial interest in obtaining digital copies of its copyrighted material.

There is a PDF file at the University of Michigan website that was created by John Wilkin on December 13, 2004. In this file he includes a screen shot that demonstrates how Google plans to display snippets from copyrighted material. Notice the Google ads on the screen. Google is acquiring the U of M library for the purpose of making money, and that's just fine with the library.

However, it is also violates Section 108 of copyright law, which says that libraries can make copies under certain restricted conditions, one of which is "the reproduction or distribution is made without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage." This is just one of several apparent violations of copyright by the library.

The Regents of the University of Michigan should immediately instruct the library to withhold all copyrighted material from Google.

Letter to the University president: Page 1 Page 2
Letter to a University lawyer: Page 1 of 1
Letter to the Regents' representative: Page 1 Page 2
University of Michigan FOIA request: Page 1 of 1
Letter to Stanford University Library: Page 1 Page 2
Letter to Harvard University Library: Page 1 Page 2