Publisher Ox, Gore Thyself

Google has suspended its project to scan copyrighted library books so that publishers have a chance to inform it which of their books they don't want to allow to be included.

The reaction of Patricia Schroeder, president of the Association of American Publishers: "We think this knocks the notion of copyright on its head. It sets a terrible precedent.... I've never seen our members so solidified. Publishers and authors are investment bankers in copyright. There's great alarm among our members."

Imagine that -- freely reusing copyrighted works on the basis of a "license by default."

But wait a minute! That's exactly what publishers are trying to do to freelance writers in the copyright class action settlement.