Creators groups join Authors Guild suit against Google

Two weeks ago, we reported that the Authors Guild asked the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals to allow its suit against Google to proceed. The guild wants Google to cease its vast book-scanning and posting project that the guild says is violating copyright and diminishing writers' incomes.

Last week, the guild was joined by other creators' organizations in a friend of court brief. These include: The National Writers Union, the Dramatists Guild, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America, Songwriters Guild of America, and the Text and Academic Authors Association.

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Denny Chin had ruled that the Authors Guild's proposed class action suit could proceed, but Google has appealed that ruling, saying that writers have conflicting interests, and that the case includes fair use issues which must be ruled on one at a time.

The Authors Guild and its allies refute Google's claims, saying:

"Without the ability to aggregate their claims against infringing technology providers, [we] fear that the exclusive rights that the copyright act promises will be illusory to all except the largest and best-heeled copyright owners."

In other words, if Google prevails, individual writers, illustrators and others must fight individually against a company with assets of nearly $100 billion. Speed Matters supports copyright protections for creators and believes that workers everywhere have the right to combine to meet corporations on more equal terms.

Authors Guild continues federal case against Google (Speed Matters, Feb. 14, 2013)

Songwriters, Playwrights Side With Authors Guild Against Google (mediapost, Feb. 22, 2013)