In Search of a Publisher-Friendly Book Search

“We’re trying to make this an opportunity for users to both discover and acquire content,” Guren said.

According to Microsoft representatives, the company
intends to focus on only using sources of public domain
and works where permission has been granted, similar to Yahoo!’s Internet Archive project, run by the Open Content Alliance. The company “will clearly respect all copyrights and work with each partner providing the information to work out a mutually agreeable protections on copyrights” by asking a copyright holder for permission before digitizing a copyrighted work.

Since its initial introduction last fall, Microsoft’s project has gone through some changes. Earlier this year, it was rebranded from its initial designation as MSN Book Search—along with many other Microsoft services that bore the Microsoft Network name—to be part of Microsoft’s new Windows Live group of online services.

Microsoft also said it plans to share paid advertising revenue with publishers who participate in the program when it appears.

Microsoft has yet to schedule a release date for the final version, but says the search will launch later this year. “That is when end users will start to see trusted, authoritative book content helping them answer their search questions,” Guren says. BB