BTW News Briefs

Justice Department Launches Inquiry Into Google Book Search Copyright Settlement

As reported in the New York Times, the Justice Department has launched an inquiry into possible antitrust violations in the settlement, announced last October, between the Authors Guild, the Association of American Publishers (AAP), and Google in suits brought by book authors, the Authors Guild, and five publishers representing AAP's membership. The suits charged that Google's practice of scanning copyrighted books from libraries for use in its Book Search service was a violation of copyright.

Justice Department lawyers talked recently with several groups who oppose the settlement, including the Internet Archive and Consumer Watchdog. Among the issues of concern to critics, said the Times, is that "Google alone would have a license that covers millions of so-called orphan books, whose authors cannot be found or whose rights holders are unknown."

The Justice Department's inquiry does not necessarily indicate that it will oppose the settlement, which is subject to a court review, said the Times. But it does give credence to critics, who argue that the settlement unfairly affords Google an exclusive ability to profit from millions of books. According to the settlement, Google can display books online and sell access to individual texts as well as subscriptions to its collection. Proceeds would be divided among Google, authors, and publishers. Those in opposition fear that without competition, Google would have free rein to raise prices for access to the texts. The deadline for authors to opt out of the settlement and for other parties to oppose it or file briefs was extended for four months beyond the prior May 5 deadline.

Environmental Council Sets Climate Goals for U.S. Book Industry

The Book Industry Environmental Council announced this month a goal of reducing the U.S. book industry's greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 (from a 2006 baseline) with the intent of achieving an 80 percent reduction by 2050.

A 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases represents a savings of up to 2.5 million metric tons per year, the equivalent annual emissions of approximately 450,000 cars. The council is comprised of more than 40 industry stakeholders, including large and small publishers, printers, paper mills, and others, representing more than 60 percent of industry market-share.

In addition to its commitment to greenhouse gas reduction target, the council is working on additional priorities including the development of a green publisher certification program modeled after the LEED system -- a certification initiative of the U.S. Green Building Council. This program will measure and certify leading publisher's environmental performance and will require certified publishers to successfully eliminate virtually all fiber coming from Endangered Forests or areas of social conflict. 

NEIBA Announces Shop Local Grant Recipients

The New England Independent Booksellers Association this week announced the recipients of its latest NEIBA Shop Local Grants.

The new Vital Communities - Local First Upper Valley, whose leadership includes Norwich Bookstore in Norwich Vermont, will be promoting the importance of local businesses and cultural economies across many counties in two states -- Vermont and New Hampshire. The grant of $1,250 will be used to help create a logo, develop a website, and prepare membership materials.

Local First Vermont has been awarded $2,500 to continue its work begun in 2005, specifically developing an online business directory of all locally owned products and services in the state. Local First Vermont has 216 members, 15 of which are NEIBA members.

Since June 2007, NEIBA has awarded Shop Local Grants totaling over $20,000.

James Tiptree Jr. Award Winners Announced

On April 26, the James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award Council announced the winners of the 2008 Tiptree Awards: Patrick Ness's young adult novel, The Knife of Never Letting Go (Walker), and Nisi Shawl's short story collection, Filter House (Aqueduct). The Tiptree Awards are presented annually to a work or works that explore and expand gender roles in science fiction and fantasy.

The Tiptree Award will be celebrated on Memorial Day weekend at WisCon in Madison, Wisconsin. Each winner will receive $1,000 in prize money, an original artwork created specifically for the winning novel or story, and chocolate. The 2008 Tiptree jurors were (former ABA staffer) Gavin J. Grant (chair), K. Tempest Bradford, Leslie Howle, Roz Kaveney, and Catherynne M. Valente.

Visit www.tiptree.org for the full Tiptree Award Honor List.

IBNYC Receives $1,500 From Bookazine

The Independent Booksellers of New York City (IBNYC), which formed a year ago to raise awareness about New York City's independent bookselling community, this week announced that it had received a gift of $1,500 from Bookazine. The donation will help IBNYC promote the diversity and depth of the 75-plus bookstore alliance members to NYC readers and shoppers.

IBNYC board member and owner of Book Culture, Chris Doeblin, said in a statement: "This gift gives a huge boost to our alliance. The fact that it comes from Bookazine whose roots are in Manhattan, makes it wonderful. The support and recognition of our early efforts to organize the IBNYC is just terrific."