The big internet news

from the end of last week is that Google has temporarily suspended its Google Print program to scan millions of published books in libraries throughout the US. Wired News has a balanced look at the story: Google’s Book Scanning Hits Snag. For my part, although I am convinced that Google will and should eventually do this, I think they should pay licensing fees to each copyright owner of books it scans and makes searchable. As well, I think the opt-out nature of the program (under the new terms) is obnoxious, and will probably land Google in court.