Google’s library plan

“Google announced plans in 2004 to scan millions of tomes tucked into library stacks across the country, admirers embraced the ambitious project as a digital undertaking as visionary as Magellan’s setting sail around the world. The project would throw open musty archives everywhere, putting hidden works on the Internet for all to use.”

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1933055,00.html?CNN=yes

Google, which I had previously believed was nothing more than a search engine,and a handy map source, is now nearly finished gathering thousands of old novels, encyclopedias, journals and even album notes into a digital format.  They are taking advantage of the demand for content new e-reading technologies have created.  In a large scale effort Google has been scanning a multitude of material over the last few years, including a number of forgotten or largely unavailable titles.

Many companies and legal professionals, along with a number of authors and publishers are uneasy with these development.  It is unclear who will profit the most from this upcoming market, although many believe Google will be raking in most of the profits.  Also, no other company will be able to compete with Google’s E-reading technologies, and many fear Google is going to establish a monopoly on the market.