When Internet giant Google launched its Book Search project in 2004, it aimed to digitize millions of books, in print and out, allowing readers and researchers to do full-text searches. But the scheme ran afoul of many writers and publishers of books still in copyright. The Authors Guild filed a class-action suit, and the Association of American Publishers sued, as well. Now, as a result of two years of quiet negotiations, an agreement has been reached that will allow the project to continue. Google will spend $125 million to set up the nonprofit, independent Book Rights Registry. For copyrighted books already scanned, it will dispense payments to writers and publishers, and pay their legal costs. In the future, it will manage revenues from the project that will be split between copyright holders and Google. Universities can purchase subscriptions for their students and faculty, while public libraries will be given free portals for users. Other customers will be charged pay-to-view fees. Additional potential revenue streams include print-on-demand books and advertising. The publishers' group called it a "win-win agreement." Google, by the way, never stopped scanning - it already has some 7 million books digitized. -TG

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