Hurdles remain on Google's books deal

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A landmark settlement between Internet search group Google and publishers announced this week paves the way for a digital future for the book industry. Or does it? Casual readers, students and researchers now will have unprecedented means to search for and buy online access to books at public libraries and universities in the US. But even as some authors salivate over the possibility that Google has laid the groundwork for an iTunes for publishing, big hurdles remain - starting with the system itself. The complex agreement does not cover the latest bestsellers nor does it allow the purchase of a digital file that would be readable on most handheld gadgets on the market today.


Hurdles remain on Google's books deal