In a significant turn of events in the world of digital book lending, proponent groups and individuals of the medium are rallying behind Internet Archive in their second circuit appeal. The nonprofit organization was previously found to be in violation of copyright laws with their lending program by a federal judge.
This appeal is an attempt to overturn the aforementioned ruling, with supporters arguing in four amicus briefs submitted this week that the court’s prior decision had incorrectly concluded the Internet Archive’s e-book lending program was not an instance of fair use.
The support in this case appears to be primarily coming from those advocating for the ability of non-profit organizations to serve as digital libraries. At the core of the issue is the interpretation of copyright laws and the protection of intellectual property rights in a rapidly digitizing world. The final decision in this appeal could prove impactful on how these laws are viewed in the future.
For more detailed information on this ongoing legal case, visit https://www.law360.com/articles/1779738/authors-group-profs-back-internet-archive-s-e-book-lending.