Libraries shun Google/Microsoft in favour of Open Content Alliance

A New York Times story from last week:

Several major research libraries have rebuffed offers from Google and Microsoft to scan their books into computer databases, saying they are put off by restrictions these companies want to place on the new digital collections.

The research libraries, including a large consortium in the Boston area, are instead signing on with the Open Content Alliance

The key issue is the terms of Google & Microsoft deals that prevent making the scanned material available to other commercial search services. Google pays the scanning costs (estimated by NYT to be $30 per book) whereas the libraries have to share the costs if they go with OCA.

Technorati Tags: Google, Libraries, Open Access, Rights

A Guide to Rights and Royalties Management Software

A report I wrote for ALPSP has recently been released: A Guide to Rights and Royalties Management Software. From the blurb:

Just published, this guide is designed to give an overview of the available rights and royalties software systems currently available. It provides an introduction and charts some of the main trends in the field and looks at the potential benefits offered by software systems for book and journal publishers. It offers a number of illustrative publisher case studies and lists and describes the software provided by over 20 of the leading providers.

It’s available from the ALPSP website at £40 for ALPSP members and £70 for non-members, but Amazon are offering it for £28.50.

Technorati Tags: Rights