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

A U.S. court ruled that the Internet Archive infringed copyright by scanning and digitally lending books from major publishers without authorization. This decision rejects the organization’s claim that its "controlled digital lending" model constitutes fair use, establishing that while physical books can be lent, bulk digitization for digital distribution requires publisher permission. The ruling highlights a critical tension between preserving cultural heritage through digital access and protecting intellectual property rights. By denying the fair use defense, the judgment clarifies that digital lending cannot simply replace traditional library licensing models, thereby limiting the scope of nonprofit institutions in expanding free access to copyrighted works online. This case is highly relevant to open data and open access advocates because it sets a precedent for digital resource distribution. It demonstrates the legal risks associated with digitizing and freely sharing copyrighted materials, impacting how open initiatives navigate copyright constraints while striving to make information accessible.

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

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

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