Writers’ Roundup

I attended the latest seminar (5th) on this settlement held by Access Copyright on February 19th, 09. Roannie Levy from Access did an admirably clear job of walking approximately 300 creators through the complexities of this agreement but was careful not to speak for or against it. She would say only that in the U.S. both writers and publishers have said YES to this settlement.

I recommend you visit the Google Settlement home page (see Useful Links page) and read its explanation. Access has also posted its seminar online with commentary and is running still more seminars in March. Unless you love poring over these sorts of documents, it’s easier to bite a few hours and take their seminar than try to digest the implications of this settlement on your own.

It’s too soon for me to offer any sort of coherent summary but one thing rang clear. Do your darndest to retain your electronic rights yourself. Google Registry proceeds will go to the rights-holder which, in the case of a book in print, will be your publisher who will split the cheque according to your contractual agreement regarding ebooks, if you have one.

All writers whose books have been digitised (or will be) are automatically included in this settlement unless they choose specifically to opt out. You have until May 5/09 to opt out of the settlement. Doing this will give you the freedom to sue Google for copyright infringement should you be so minded.

If you wish to stay in, register with the Registry. This is not run by Google but by US rights-holders and publishers. The Registry is responsible for paying out monies earned through Google’s revenues from digitization of texts.

Google is only the first to make such settlements. Yahoo and others are likely to follow suit. This could mean money for writers — perhaps many small drops in many buckets but they could add up to a cool drink of water.