On October 31, 2011, The Copyright Office on released an Analysis and Discussion Document about the intersection of copyright law and the mass digitization of books made infamous by the likes of Amazon and Google Books. The Report titled “Legal Issues in Mass Digitization” is intended to facilitate further dialogue among the various interest-holders; namely copyright holders and content providers, third-party companies wishing to exploit literary artistic works and the general public.
The Analysis & Discussion Document notes the legal issues, possible resolutions (including both legislative and voluntary market-response approaches). It also sets forth issues to consider which should be factored into any determination of the appropriate policy for the mass digitization of books.
Read the Copyright Office Legal Issues in Mass Digitization: A Preliminary Analysis and Discussion Document