Yahoo vs. Google: Digital Libraries- New York Times Article

Yahoo Rebuffs Google on Digital Books

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/technology/30yahoo.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 30, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 29 (AP) — Yahoo has rebuffed Google’s attempt to learn more about its efforts to create digital copies of books, dealing Google another setback as it prepares to fight a copyright infringement suit.
In rejecting Google’s request, Yahoo adopted the same stance taken last month by the Internet retailer Amazon.com, and called Google’s request a brazen attempt to pry into its trade secrets.
Google says it believes it can defend its plans to provide online access to millions of library books by obtaining more details about similar projects involving rivals.
A group of publishers and the Authors Guild sued Google in a New York federal court last year, claiming that the company did not get proper approval to make copies of books available to anyone with an Internet connection.
As it gathers evidence for its case, Google has subpoenaed Amazon.com, Yahoo and Microsoft, among others. Yahoo and Microsoft are part of a large alliance of businesses and libraries working together to create a digital database of books. Amazon.com has scanned a large number of books so consumers can read excerpts from books that they may want to buy.