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BA hits out at Google deal

12.11.08 Graeme Neill

The UK Booksellers Association has slammed Google's provisional deal with US publishers to allow users to browse and buy millions of books online. The trade body warned that the arrangement could create "a de facto monopoly" and "have a hugely damaging effect on the publishing and bookselling industry" if adopted in the UK.

The internet search engine provisionally agreed to pay $125m to settle a five year long dispute last month. If the deal is given the go-ahead by a US court, users will be able to search and preview millions of additional titles, including out-of-print books, online via Google's Book Search programme. Money will be made from advertising, subscriptions and sales and will be split 63:37 between the rights holders and Google.

The deal received a favourable response from publishers, with many in the UK believing that it was only a matter of time before a similar deal was introduced here. However, the Booksellers Association has become the first book trade body to heavily criticise the deal, claiming it a "bridge too far". "As such a dominant player in the online world, Google will now occupy a unique gateway position that, if abused, could easily create a de facto monopoly," the statement said. "A situation where competition is removed from the market place by placing the keys in the hands of one company cannot, ultimately, be good for the consumer. This is a bridge too far. Monopolies = reduced choice and higher prices."

The BA added that in the long term any deal would deny the customer a choice of retail channels and as well as the interactive experience of shopping, which can help break little known authors. "This recent agreement, if ever adopted in the UK and Ireland, would have a hugely damaging effect on the publishing and bookselling industry and, consequently, for authors and the public as well," it stated.

Last week, the Federation of European Publishers also said that books should be distributed through the widest number of channels as possible. "In analysing the impact of the agreement, European publishers will consider the risk of a de facto monopoly for distribution of books that is contrary to the interest of society at large and is endangering European book industry and cultural diversity," it said.

BA's Google statement

Google Graeme Neill Booksellers Association BA book search Home digitisation

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By Jo

Stop the future says trade body, as it whistles by . . .

12 Nov 08 11:35

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By A B Seller

Although I disagree slightly with the BA's stance - should we ban the internet because library figures are decreasing? - what does concern me is the possibility for a large retailer to exploit the search function by paid advertising. As companies can pay handsomely to become a sponsored link or occupy the top positions on a keyword search, does this create an avenue for one retailer to monopolise the click-throughs via the Google Book Search programme?

12 Nov 08 12:43

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By JP Fife

I'm with the BA on this. Not on the competition issue (if you read their statement - the PDF is available via the news story.) But mainly due to the fact that Google is scanning in the books, offering 20% and then offering a down loadable product for a price. In my view they don't have the right to scan in books that are in copyright. This is a salable right authors and publishers have and I have not seen any mention that Google have paid for this right. Then they want to sell what they have scanned in? I think Google is taking the p*ss. In fact, this is exactly why Harlan Ellison sued newsgroups and AOL some years back.

13 Nov 08 11:03

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By June Austin

I am with JD on this one - Goggle do not have the right to scan what isn't there's, any more than I have the right to copy someone else's work and put my name to it. As for the other comments, the words horse and stable door spring to mind. Denying customers a range of retail channels - come off it, most of these books are already denied this - have you ever tried getting a POD book into chain stores - it is easier to get blood out of a stone (admittedly some are easier than others) ! The abolition of the NBA has had a far more damaging effect than anything Google may have done, as it is this that has led to the growth in the Internet, and forced shops to offer higher discounts in order to compete, driving the independents (who are more likely to stock niche books or local authors) out of business. Less money for the publishers means less money for authors, especially new ones, hence the dramatic rise in POD, as authors choose to self publish instead. Book shops won't stock their books, so they turn to the Internet instead and so it goes on ...

22 Nov 08 22:08

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