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Authors Fume as Online Library “Lends” Unlimited Free Books

posted by Fnord666 on Thursday April 02 2020, @08:28AM   
from the writers-gotta-eat dept.

upstart writes in with an IRC submission for SoyCow8162:

Authors fume as online library "lends" unlimited free books:

For almost a decade, the Internet Archive, an online library best known for its Internet Wayback Machine, has let users "borrow" scanned digital copies of books held in its warehouse. Until recently, users could only check out as many copies as the organization had physical copies. But last week, The Internet Archive announced it was eliminating that restriction, allowing an unlimited number of users to check out a book simultaneously. The Internet Archive calls this the National Emergency Library.

Initial media coverage of the service was strongly positive. The New Yorker declared it a "gift to readers everywhere." But as word of the new service spread, it triggered a backlash from authors and publishers.

"As a reminder, there is no author bailout, booksellers bailout, or publisher bailout," author Alexander Chee tweeted on Friday. "The Internet Archive's 'emergency' copyrights grab endangers many already in terrible danger."

"It is a tarted-up piracy site," wrote author James Gleick.

Previously:

Internet Archive Suspends E-Book Lending "Waiting Lists" During U.S. National Emergency

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Original Submission

• Open Access to ACM Digital Library During Pandemic (Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday April 02 2020, @03:26PM

  by DannyB (5839) on Thursday April 02 2020, @03:26PM (#978330) Journal

  Open Access to ACM Digital Library During Coronavirus Pandemic [acm.org]

  The above link is another site that you definitely DO NOT want to go to. They are offering . . .

  March 30, 2020

  Dear ACM Members:

  As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues, we at ACM would like to do what we can to help support the computing community. Many computing researchers and practitioners are now working remotely. In addition, teaching and learning have also moved online as more and more campuses close.

  We believe that ACM can help support research, discovery and learning during this time of crisis by opening the ACM Digital Library to all. For the next three months, there will be no fees assessed for accessing or downloading work published by ACM. We hope this will help researchers, practitioners and students maintain access to our publications as well as increasing visibility and awareness of ACM’s journals, proceedings and magazines. Please be sure to inform your colleagues that the ACM DL is now open, and will continue that way through June 30, 2020.

  This global health crisis is a unique challenge that has impacted many ACM members. We would like to express our concern and support for all who are affected by this outbreak.

  Stay well!

  Cherri Pancake
  ACM President

  --
  The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.

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