ASMP Position on Google Books Settlement

The Google Books Settlement between Google and the Authors Guild and The AAP seemed to be a solution for both parties, answering to some degree the video I posted earlier this week by Lawrence Lessig. Prof. Lessig wondered how a settlement might be reached when he produced that video three years ago. The problem with this settlement, is that it does not include all of the parties (photographers and illustrators) impacted by the Google Scanning and plan to post using the Google Books Search, based on their copyright status. ASMP has been investigating the settlement and offering our perspective to protect photographers interest. Read it here.

"Photographers File Objections To Proposed Google Settlement"

ASMP General Counsel Victor Perlman said, "The vast majority of photographers and graphic artists, whose works have been and continue to be digitized by Google without authorization, and who have been members of the plaintiffs' class since June 2006, would neither receive compensation for past infringement nor any benefit going forward." Perlman added, "The visual arts community has copyright interests at stake that are just as important as the copyright interests of authors and publishers that this Proposed Settlement is designed to protect."

"ASMP Position on the Google Books Settlement" - ASMP believes that the proposed settlement has far-reaching consequences for the work product and the livelihoods of its more than 6,000 member photographers, and that the settlement does not adequately protect their interests. Therefore, ASMP plans to submit its views to the Court on or before September 4, 2009, the new deadline for filing objections and other comments.

Back to Work and Google Books

Just returned from China, the new Semester has started at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the ball is rolling on a number of client projects. The G-20 International Summit of World Leaders starts tomorrow in Pittsburgh. To say I am optimistic about the future would be an understatement. I am curious by nature and I try to learn as much as I can about a subject.

Especially one that may impact my business in some way. Google a wonderful and innovative company, I mean who can live with out their favorite search engine or gmail or this blog. Having said that their inovation sometimes has costs and challenges. They are always pushing the envelope and you have got to respect them for that, the question is do they respect me and my fellow writers and visual artists or are we just a source (free) for material to search?

Here is a 3 year old presentation by Lawrence Lessig worth watching especially the last few minutes. After you watch this stay tuned we will continue the conversation.