As controversy continues to swirl around Google, the EU is coming up with Plan B. The French in particular are supremely irritated at Google for devaluing their literary history; according to Reuters, when asked whether the ministers were in favor of the upcoming Google settlement, French Culture Minister Francois Mitterrand said he couldn’t comment directly but that:
“For my part, there isn’t any anti-Americanism. Nevertheless, I believe America isn’t a monolith, and different opinions must be expressed. That’s why I don’t want the State to surrender before the markets. It’s not up to this or that private group to decide policy on an issue as important as the digitization of our global heritage. I’m not going to leave this decision up to simple laissez-faire.”
Mitterand proposes that Europe take the book project over in their own countries, and put more money in Europeana. In an interview with French newspaper Journal du Dimanche he said digitization of books should not be left to private companies.
According to the NY Times, French publishers have accused Google of exploiting their country’s literary heritage. Late in September a Paris court was asked to fine the Internet firm if it continued to digitize copyrighted books. The tribunal is expected to reach a decision by December 18.
Tags: EU, Google Books