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

A U.S. judge ruled that the Internet Archive infringed copyright by scanning and digitally lending books from major publishers, rejecting its claim of fair use. The decision establishes that while physical books can be lent, bulk scanning for digital distribution lacks the necessary transformation to be protected, prioritizing publishers' rights over unrestricted digital access. This ruling critically impacts open data and digital preservation efforts by challenging the legality of mass digitization initiatives. It highlights the tension between the goal of universal information access and existing copyright frameworks, suggesting that non-profit archives may face significant legal barriers when attempting to digitize protected works without explicit licenses. The case is relevant to the open data community as it signals potential risks for large-scale digitization projects. Stakeholders must now navigate stricter copyright interpretations, potentially limiting the scope of freely available digital resources and raising questions about how cultural heritage institutions can legally preserve and share knowledge in an increasingly digital world.

Source: digbycourier.ca
Published on 2026-10-04

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

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