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Forskningsgruppa for medie-, ikt- og kulturpolitikk

Hovedinnhold

Consequences for Culture, Science and Copyright in Europe


SYMPOSIUM
 
The Google Books project is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina of modern times. Over fifteen million books, many of which written by European authors and scholars, have been digitalized and made searchable, and many millions more are soon to follow. The project raises important cultural and legal questions. Do we want Google to monopolize the world’s science and literature, or is this fear groundless? Who will have access to this colossal digital collection? What role will remain for traditional libraries after Google Books becomes ubiquitously available? And how will Google deal with the copyrights of the millions of authors involved?  In the United States Google has promised large sums of money to right holders in return for a settlement that allows Google wide-ranging freedoms to commercialize the Google Books database, e.g. by offering download services and institutional subscriptions. Will Google soon do the same in Europe?

Program:

12.15-12.30    Prof. Dag Elgesem, Head of Department, Department of Information Science and Media Studies (UiB), Opening and introduction

12.30-13.00     Prof. Helge Rønning (University of Oslo), ‘Who’s Afraid of  Google Books? Monopolizing the World’s Literature’

13.00-13.15    Discussion

13.15-13.45    Håvard Kolle Riis (Head of digital library services, University of Oslo), ‘Friends or Foes? Google Books and University Libraries’
Read abstract

13.45-14.00    Discussion

14.00-14.15    Break

14.15-14.45    Prof. Bernt Hugenholtz (University of Amsterdam & University of Bergen), ‘The Google Books Settlement. The Largest Licensing Deal in the World’

14.45-15.00    Discussion

15.00-15.30    General discussion and closure