It could be an important development in terms of accesible books. Original message.
Regards, Vetri. -------- Produced in my Nokia N82 via T-mobile internet using "Talks", a screen reader for S60 phones. -original message- Subject: Fw: Google books hearing on Thursday From: ray wayne <[email protected]> Date: 02/15/2010 7:22 PM ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "NFBNY office" <[email protected]> To: "Mindy Jacobsen" <[email protected]>, "Ray" <[email protected]>, "David R. Stayer" <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, Feb 14, 2010 13:56:25 Subject: Google books hearing on Thursday > > > Please distribute this as widely as you know how. Thanks, Carl > > Dear Federationists, > > > > Your participation is needed in an important hearing this coming week. > > > > On Thursday, February 18, at 10 a.m., a hearing will be held in the United > States District Court, Southern District of New York, regarding the proposed > settlement agreement in The Authors Guild, Inc., et. al. very. Google, Inc., > case. The proposed agreement has significant language to ensure that any > electronic book distribution done by Google includes equal access for > individuals with print disabilities. The hearing is important because it will > determine if the settlement agreement will be accepted by the court. > > > > During the hearing, Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the > Blind, will speak in favor of the proposed settlement language ensuring > accessibility to Google's significant collection of electronic books. > > > > It is extremely important that we have a large crowd of blind individuals on > hand to provide a visible showing of support for the accessibility provisions > of this landmark settlement agreement. Therefore, the NFB is organizing a > group of supportive observers to sit through the hearing. > > > > The remainder of this message provides important details about participating > in this gathering, as well as background on the settlement agreement. > > > > The hearing will be held at: > > United States District Court > > Southern District of New York > > Daniel Patrick Moynihan > > United States Courthouse > > 500 Pearl Street > > New York, NY 10007-1312 > > Tel: (212) 805-0136 > > http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/site_manhattan.php > > > > The hearing is scheduled to take place in Courtroom 23B. While the hearing > begins at 10 a.m., it is important that those wishing to participate arrive > at the courthouse as early as possible, preferably when the courthouse doors > first open > > > > Court Security Officers will open the courthouse doors at 8:00 a.m. and those > planning to participate should be aware of the high security standards in > federal courthouse buildings. The courthouse Website notes, "Please allow > extra time to pass through the security screening. Cell phones, tape > recorders and cameras are prohibited inside the courthouse." As a result we > encourage every person planning to participate to bring as little as possible > with you to the hearing. Those bringing cell phones to the courthouse will > need to leave them at the security station and will be able to retrieve them > upon leaving the building. > > > > It is critical for all participants to keep in mind that proper etiquette of > the court suggests that all observers should remain in their seats through > the entire hearing or until a formal break is called. Therefore, those > wishing to participate should be prepared for the hearing to last a number of > hours. Although we are just observing the proceedings, all are strongly urged > to dress appropriately for the court (i.e. professional dress is > recommended). > > > > After clearing security at the courthouse, please proceed to courtroom 23B. > Mark Riccobono is coordinating the NFB group for this hearing. When you > arrive at the courtroom, Mr. Riccobono or his designee will advise you about > next steps (it is possible that some of our group may need to go to the > overflow room). Please be sure to show up as early as possible so our group > can get good position for available seating in the main courtroom (remember > courthouse doors open at 8 a.m.). > > > > If you are planning to attend this hearing, please respond to this Email so > we can get a sense of the size of the group we expect. Alternatively, you > can call the affiliate office at 718-567-7821. > > > > Finally, below is an overview of important points about the settlement as > background to the importance of this hearing. > > > > > > The Authors Guild, Inc., et. al. very. Google, Inc. Proposed Settlement > Agreement > > > > Overview > > Google, in partnership with leading libraries has been creating a massive > electronic books database of millions of titles. The settlement of the suit > against Google, if approved, will resolve lawsuits brought on behalf of a > broad class of authors and publishers against Google for copyright > infringement allegations in connection with the Google Book Project. The > agreement will significantly expand online access to works through Google > Book Search from the collections of major U.S. libraries and will also > enhance the ability of authors and publishers to distribute their content in > digital form. All of the services that will result from this settlement for > the public will be accessible to all blind and print-disabled persons, > although Google will have up to five years after the settlement is finally > approved to deliver access. What this settlement will do is expand by > millions of volumes the number of books that blind and other print-disabled > readers will have available to them to purchase, check out from certain > participating libraries or read at public libraries. > > > > After final approval, the settlement will authorize Google to do the > following: > > a.. Continue to scan in-copyright books > b.. Develop an electronic books database > c.. Provide responses to searches in the database (already accessible) > d.. For books in the database that are no longer commercially available for > sale and for commercially available books whose authors choose to > participate, > a.. Sell individual books to consumers in digital form; and > b.. Sell institutional subscriptions to the books database to schools, > corporations and other institutions > e.. With respect to libraries, the settlement will authorize Google to > provide public and higher education libraries with free access to the books > database and special terminals will be provided free to every public library > in the country. > > > How will the Agreement Affect the Blind and Others with Print Disabilities? > > > > . The Agreement expressly authorizes Google to provide the material it > offers users "in a manner that accommodates users with Print Disabilities so > that such users have a substantially similar user experience as users without > Print Disabilities." A user with a Print Disability under the agreement is > one who is "unable to read or use standard printed material due to blindness, > visual disability, physical limitations, organic function, or dyslexia." The > material covered includes material provided by Google through institutional > subscriptions, public access services, and consumer purchases, as well as the > material Google displays as snippets, book previews, and the pages in front > of and behind the books (such as the table of contents and index). > > > > . Google expresses its intention within the agreement to make digital > copies of the books accessible to users with Print Disabilities so that such > users have a substantially similar user experience as users without Print > Disabilities. To the extent Google is unable to do so, Google will > reasonably cooperate to enable such access to books through an Alternative > Accommodated Service Provider. > > > > . The Agreement also places upon Google the obligation to offer the > books in an accessible format at no greater cost to users with Print > Disabilities. Specifically, Google must use commercially reasonable efforts > to enable an "accommodated service" to users of Google's institutional > subscriptions, public access services, consumer purchases and other revenue > models. An "accommodated service" means a service that offers the text of > books and inserts in the form of electronic text used in conjunction with > screen enlargement, voice output, and refreshable Braille displays (or at > Google's option and with the Registry's approval, other technologies to > reasonably accommodate Print Disabilities) at no greater charge than the > charge to view Books in a similar manner to users without a Print Disability. > > > > . For Institutional Subscription users with Print Disabilities, Google > must offer an Accommodated Service for all books in the Institutional > Subscription Database for which Google's automated OCR system is successful. > > > > . Further, Google must not unreasonably withhold its consent to a > request from a Fully Participating library to work with particular > third-party contractors to provide access to the full text of the Books and > Inserts as described under "Accommodated Service" and to improve the quality > of such Books (e.g. OCR quality and structure extraction) for the purpose of > providing such access. > > > > . If within 5 years from the Effective Date of the Agreement Google > has not complied, or ceases to comply, with its obligation to offer an > accommodated service, upon notice by the Fully Participating Libraries, > Google must use commercially reasonable efforts to identify and work with an > alternative provider to readily provide copies of Books and Inserts requested > by the alternative provider solely for the purpose of making those books > accessible to users with Print Disabilities. > > > > How will Users with Print Disabilities' who use the Services of Google's > Partner Libraries be Affected? > > > > a.. Libraries that have Digitization Agreements with Google are authorized > to permit users with Print Disabilities to borrow digital copies of the > library's collection. The digital copy must be accessible when used in > conjunction with screen enlargement, voice output, or refreshable Braille > displays. Certified users must agree to refrain from using, reproducing or > distributing the book in an unlawful manner and the library must maintain > data about its provision of "special access" to certified users. > > Please distribute this as widely as you know how. Thanks, Carl > > Dear Federationists, > > Your participation is needed in an important hearing this coming week. > > On Thursday, February 18, at 10 a.m., a hearing will be held in the United > States District Court, Southern District of New York, regarding the proposed > settlement agreement in The Authors Guild, Inc., et. al. very. Google, Inc., > case. The proposed agreement has significant language to ensure that any > electronic book distribution done by Google includes equal access for > individuals with print disabilities. The hearing is important because it will > determine if the settlement agreement will be accepted by the court. > > During the hearing, Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the > Blind, will speak in favor of the proposed settlement language ensuring > accessibility to Google's significant collection of electronic books. > > It is extremely important that we have a large crowd of blind individuals on > hand to provide a visible showing of support for the accessibility provisions > of this landmark settlement agreement. Therefore, the NFB is organizing a > group of supportive observers to sit through the hearing. > > The remainder of this message provides important details about participating > in this gathering, as well as background on the settlement agreement. > > The hearing will be held at: > United States District Court > Southern District of New York > Daniel Patrick Moynihan > United States Courthouse > 500 Pearl Street > New York, NY 10007-1312 > Tel: (212) 805-0136 > http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/site_manhattan.php > > The hearing is scheduled to take place in Courtroom 23B. While the hearing > begins at 10 a.m., it is important that those wishing to participate arrive > at the courthouse as early as possible, preferably when the courthouse doors > first open > > Court Security Officers will open the courthouse doors at 8:00 a.m. and those > planning to participate should be aware of the high security standards in > federal courthouse buildings. The courthouse Website notes, "Please allow > extra time to pass through the security screening. Cell phones, tape > recorders and cameras are prohibited inside the courthouse." As a result we > encourage every person planning to participate to bring as little as possible > with you to the hearing. Those bringing cell phones to the courthouse will > need to leave them at the security station and will be able to retrieve them > upon leaving the building. > > It is critical for all participants to keep in mind that proper etiquette of > the court suggests that all observers should remain in their seats through > the entire hearing or until a formal break is called. Therefore, those > wishing to participate should be prepared for the hearing to last a number of > hours. Although we are just observing the proceedings, all are strongly urged > to dress appropriately for the court (i.e. professional dress is > recommended). > > After clearing security at the courthouse, please proceed to courtroom 23B. > Mark Riccobono is coordinating the NFB group for this hearing. When you > arrive at the courtroom, Mr. Riccobono or his designee will advise you about > next steps (it is possible that some of our group may need to go to the > overflow room). Please be sure to show up as early as possible so our group > can get good position for available seating in the main courtroom (remember > courthouse doors open at 8 a.m.). > > If you are planning to attend this hearing, please respond to this Email so > we can get a sense of the size of the group we expect. Alternatively, you > can call the affiliate office at 718-567-7821. > > Finally, below is an overview of important points about the settlement as > background to the importance of this hearing. > > > > The Authors Guild, Inc., et. al. very. Google, Inc. Proposed Settlement > Agreement > > Overview > Google, in partnership with leading libraries has been creating a massive > electronic books database of millions of titles. The settlement of the suit > against Google, if approved, will resolve lawsuits brought on behalf of a > broad class of authors and publishers against Google for copyright > infringement allegations in connection with the Google Book Project. The > agreement will significantly expand online access to works through Google > Book Search from the collections of major U.S. libraries and will also > enhance the ability of authors and publishers to distribute their content in > digital form. All of the services that will result from this settlement for > the public will be accessible to all blind and print-disabled persons, > although Google will have up to five years after the settlement is finally > approved to deliver access. What this settlement will do is expand by > millions of volumes the number of books that blind and other print-disabled > readers will have available to them to purchase, check out from certain > participating libraries or read at public libraries. > > After final approval, the settlement will authorize Google to do the > following: > Continue to scan in-copyright books > Develop an electronic books database > Provide responses to searches in the database (already accessible) > For books in the database that are no longer commercially available for sale > and for commercially available books whose authors choose to participate, > Sell individual books to consumers in digital form; and > Sell institutional subscriptions to the books database to schools, > corporations and other institutions > With respect to libraries, the settlement will authorize Google to provide > public and higher education libraries with free access to the books database > and special terminals will be provided free to every public library in the > country. > > How will the Agreement Affect the Blind and Others with Print Disabilities? > > . The Agreement expressly authorizes Google to provide the material it > offers users "in a manner that accommodates users with Print Disabilities so > that such users have a substantially similar user experience as users without > Print Disabilities." A user with a Print Disability under the agreement is > one who is "unable to read or use standard printed material due to blindness, > visual disability, physical limitations, organic function, or dyslexia." The > material covered includes material provided by Google through institutional > subscriptions, public access services, and consumer purchases, as well as the > material Google displays as snippets, book previews, and the pages in front > of and behind the books (such as the table of contents and index). > > . Google expresses its intention within the agreement to make digital > copies of the books accessible to users with Print Disabilities so that such > users have a substantially similar user experience as users without Print > Disabilities. To the extent Google is unable to do so, Google will > reasonably cooperate to enable such access to books through an Alternative > Accommodated Service Provider. > > . The Agreement also places upon Google the obligation to offer the > books in an accessible format at no greater cost to users with Print > Disabilities. Specifically, Google must use commercially reasonable efforts > to enable an "accommodated service" to users of Google's institutional > subscriptions, public access services, consumer purchases and other revenue > models. An "accommodated service" means a service that offers the text of > books and inserts in the form of electronic text used in conjunction with > screen enlargement, voice output, and refreshable Braille displays (or at > Google's option and with the Registry's approval, other technologies to > reasonably accommodate Print Disabilities) at no greater charge than the > charge to view Books in a similar manner to users without a Print Disability. > > . For Institutional Subscription users with Print Disabilities, Google > must offer an Accommodated Service for all books in the Institutional > Subscription Database for which Google's automated OCR system is successful. > > . Further, Google must not unreasonably withhold its consent to a > request from a Fully Participating library to work with particular > third-party contractors to provide access to the full text of the Books and > Inserts as described under "Accommodated Service" and to improve the quality > of such Books (e.g. OCR quality and structure extraction) for the purpose of > providing such access. > > . If within 5 years from the Effective Date of the Agreement Google > has not complied, or ceases to comply, with its obligation to offer an > accommodated service, upon notice by the Fully Participating Libraries, > Google must use commercially reasonable efforts to identify and work with an > alternative provider to readily provide copies of Books and Inserts requested > by the alternative provider solely for the purpose of making those books > accessible to users with Print Disabilities. > > How will Users with Print Disabilities' who use the Services of Google's > Partner Libraries be Affected? > > Libraries that have Digitization Agreements with Google are authorized to > permit users with Print Disabilities to borrow digital copies of the > library's collection. The digital copy must be accessible when used in > conjunction with screen enlargement, voice output, or refreshable Braille > displays. Certified users must agree to refrain from using, reproducing or > distributing the book in an unlawful manner and the library must maintain > data about its provision of "special access" to certified users. > To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
