Internet Archive's digital book lending violates copyright, US judge rules

A US judge ruled that the Internet Archive infringed copyright by lending digital copies of books from major publishers without permission. This decision challenges the nonprofit’s "controlled digital lending" model, which scans physical books to create digital versions for widespread online borrowing. The court determined that this practice does not qualify as fair use because it substitutes for licensed digital editions rather than transforming the original work. The ruling highlights the legal tension between expanding digital access to information and protecting intellectual property rights. Publishers argue that the Archive’s actions undermine authorized markets, while the organization claims the ban restricts readers' access in the digital era. This precedent affects how institutions can legally share scanned materials, forcing a reevaluation of digital preservation and distribution strategies. This case is crucial for open data initiatives because it clarifies the boundaries of fair use for digitized cultural and educational resources. It signals that bulk scanning and redistribution of copyrighted works carry significant legal risks, impacting how open access platforms manage content. Consequently, organizations must navigate stricter compliance standards when building public databases, ensuring that digitization efforts do not infringe on existing copyright frameworks.

Source: digbycourier.ca
Published on 2026-09-30

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Internet Archive's digital book lending violates copyright, US judge rules

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