US Circuit judge appeared to be in support Google’s legal defence of its digital books project, which could nulify the bids by authors who look to block the it.
Reports reveal that the search engine firm has scanned over 20 million books since signing of agreement with global libraries in 2004 to digitise books.
The Authors Guild, representing the interests of authors, and groups that include photographers and graphic artists revealed that the project amounts to an immense copyright violation.
Google however pleads that the project constitutes fair use provision of copyright law as it displays only small ‘snippets’ of text online while, the action also benefits the community and authors and not causing any financial or other damage.
Judge Denny Chin said the question of fair use depends partially on whether the project is a benefit to society.
"Aren’t these transformative uses, and don’t they benefit society?" Chin said.
Lawyer representing the authors Edward Rosenthal argued that the project may be beneficial to society in some instances, while it has to comply with the copyright holder whether or not the work is shown.
