Google to alter search results under copyright pressure

New York: Big media companies won a battle in the fight to combat online piracy Friday when Google said it would alter its search algorithms to favor websites that offered legitimate copyrighted movies, music and television.

Google said that beginning next week its algorithms would take into account the number of valid copyright removal notices that websites had received. Websites with multiple, valid complaints about copyright infringement may appear lower in Google search results.

"This ranking change should help users find legitimate, quality sources of content more easily - whether it's a song previewed on NPR's music website, a TV show on Hulu or new music streamed from Spotify," Amit Singhal, Google's senior vice president of engineering, wrote in a company blog post.

The entertainment industry, which has for years pressured Google and other Internet sites to act against online piracy, applauded the move.

"We are optimistic that Google's actions will help steer consumers to the myriad legitimate ways for them to access movies and TV shows online," Michael O'Leary, a senior executive vice president for the Motion Picture Association of America, said in a statement.

Cary Sherman, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America, also commended Google's move.

"Google has signaled a new willingness to value the rights of creators," he said in a statement.

But the two men expressed caution and urged Google to carry out the change with the vigor it adopted in combating pirated videos on YouTube, which Google owns.

"The devil is always in the details," O'Leary said.

Sherman added, similarly, that changing the search algorithm "is not the only approach, and of course, the details of implementation will matter."

The announcement comes just over six months after a heated battle between big media companies and technology companies, who were sparring over proposed legislation intended to crack down on pirated online content, particularly by rogue foreign websites.

In January, media companies like Viacom, Time Warner and the Walt Disney Co. backed two anti-piracy bills, one in the Senate and the other in the House of Representatives, while Internet activists and companies like Google and Facebook argued the bills would hinder Internet freedom. Buoyed by a huge online grass-roots movement, and aided by Wikipedia's going black for a day in protest, the bills quickly died.

That tension has decreased somewhat as media companies have met with Silicon Valley executives over how to solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction.

Google said it would not remove pages from copyright-infringing websites from its search engine unless it received a valid copyright removal notice from the rights' owner.

"Only copyright holders know if something is authorized, and only courts can decide if a copyright has been infringed," Singhal said.

More News at: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-08-14/news/33201272_1_anti-piracy-bills-google-search-results-online-piracy

Thomson Reuters injuncted from infringing copyright of SC cases

Thomson Reuters, the multinational information conglomerate based out of New York, along with its Indian operations – Westlaw India and Indlaw – have been restrained by an ad interim injunction by the District Judge, Lucknow from infringing the copyrights of Eastern Book Company in their law report “Supreme Court Cases”, popularly known as SCC. Despite notice, Westlaw India/ Indlaw continued to infringe through their databases, Internet websites and CD-Roms the copyrights recognised by the Supreme Court of India in Eastern Book Co Vs DB Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1.

In Regular Suit 115 of 2012 filed against Thomson Reuters/ Westlaw India/ Indlaw under the Copyright Act, 1957, vide order dated 22-8-2012, the District Judge, Lucknow has granted an order of temporary injunction restraining Thomson Reuters/ Westlaw India/ Indlaw, their assigns and business franchisees, licensees, distributors, agents, etc., from infringing the copyrights in the law report “Supreme Court Cases” (SCC) and from selling, distributing or otherwise making available to the public, either as CD ROMs or through their websites or by any other means, copies of their databases which infringe the copyrights in the law report “Supreme Court Cases” (SCC), during the pendency of the suit.

A battery of lawyers, including Jaideep Narain Mathur, senior advocate and former Additional Advocate General, UP, appeared for Eastern Book Co.

More News at : http://www.exchange4media.com/47886_thomson-reuters-injuncted-from-infringing-copyright-of-sc-cases.html

iProf launches Digi Library with free content

NEW DELHI, AUG. 30: 

iProf Learning Solutions, a tablet-based education content provider, is taking the concept of e-learning a step ahead with the new Digi Library.

The Digi Library would provide preparation material for competitive exams such as engineering, medical, CAT and IAS, along with course packs for class XI and XII.

However, within the next few weeks the company plans to add course material for all classes starting from nursery to high school.

iProf has secured Rs 22 crore from investment company Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) and technology venture capital fund IDG Ventures India.

The content on the library would be available free of cost for students.

Sanjay Purohit, Chief Executive Officer, iProf, said that revenues would be generated from two streams — services and home-delivery of digital content for offline access.

He added that the paid services would include live chat with teachers, virtual classes, drop-box for questions and clarifications and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

“There is something schools, hospitals and retail shops have in common in India. There would never be enough of any of them. That is why leveraging technology for these sectors is so important,” said Sudhir Sethi, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, IDG Ventures India.

He added that there was no question of charging for content as that is not a scalable model, especially since content is available free of cost across the world.

Forty schools across India have already subscribed to the Digi Library, which can be availed by institutions as well as individuals.

Sanjay Purohit said they have seen more demand coming from tier-II and III cities and smaller towns as compared to saturated cities such as Delhi.

He also added that by mid-2013 they would add higher education content on the Library and are in talks with international universities for partnering with content for the same. They are also in talks with Indira Gandhi National Open University for study materials for college-level education. aesha.datta@thehindu.co.in

More News at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article3840307.ece

Google Digital library: Judge refuses to delay case

New York: The federal judge presiding over challenges to Google Inc.’s plans to create the world’s largest digital library has refused to delay the 7-year-old case while Google appeals his decision to grant authors class certification.

US Circuit Judge Denny Chin’s order was put in the court file yesterday in Manhattan, where he ruled in May that class action was “more efficient and effective” than requiring thousands of authors to sue individually. His order was dated Tuesday.

AP

The Mountain View-California-based Google appealed the class-certification ruling and asked to delay all proceedings until the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals rules.

Chin said a delay was unwarranted, especially since it would hold the case up for a year or more.

“The merits would have to be reached at some point in any event, and there simply is no good reason to delay matters further,” the judge wrote.

He also said he found it surprising that Google argued it would be unfair to decide the merits of the case while authors were deciding whether to opt out of the class, especially “in light of Google’s fervent opposition to class certification.”

Chin has scheduled oral argument for October on requests by lawyers that he decide issues without a jury.

Google already has scanned more than 20 million books for the project. The Authors Guild had requested class certification, saying it was impractical and expensive for each author to sue Google over similar claims.

The Authors Guild has asked in court papers that the class be awarded USD 750 in damages for each copyrighted book Google copied. It has argued that Google was not making “fair use” of copyright material by offering snippets of works in its online library.

Lawyers for Google did not immediately respond to a message for comment. The company that operates the world’s largest Internet search engine has defended its online library plans, saying it is fully compliant with copyright law.

More News at: http://www.firstpost.com/tech/google-digital-library-judge-refuses-to-delay-case-435901.html

Newspaper section of Hardayal Municipal Public Library, Delhi may face closure

NEW DELHI: It has been four months since the staff of the Hardayal Municipal Public Library was paid its salary. With the trifurcation of MCD earlier this year, there was initially some confusion over the jurisdiction of this library with 31 branches across the city. The Chandni Chowk region, where the central library and the head office are, falls under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation . The official NDMC budget estimate lists "Grant-in-aid to Hardayal Mpl. Public Library" as Rs 3 crore for 2012-13 .

The honorary secretary of the library, Yashpal Arya, says he will have to shut down the newspaper section by next month if he does not receive funds. HMPL's newspapers section that subscribes to 31 newspapers from the English, Hindi and Urdu press is open to all. "There are so many students who have done their PhDs from here. I only have hope until the end of August," says Arya.

The staff have submitted a memo to chief minister Sheila Dikshit asking for release of provisional funds for salaries and other expenses. A copy of the memo bearing the CM's handwritten note to NDMC commissioner PK Gupta is with TOI. "There are audit problems. We are looking into it," said Gupta.

More News at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-29/delhi/33474637_1_central-library-ndmc-yashpal-arya

Nagpur University, finally, hands over librarian's case to Disciplinary Action Committee

NAGPUR: The Nagpur University has finally handed over the case of senior NU lecturer allegedly helping her sister to clear her exams, to its Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). The controller of examinations (CoE) Siddharth Kane, who had given a "clean chit" to the head of NU's Department of Library and Information Science (DLISc) Shailini Likhitkar, told media about this development. TOI had on August 2 reported this issue.

"After conducting initial probe we have decided to handover the case to DAC as per rules and regulations," Kane said. He explained that after TOI report, NU had initiated a probe and sought Likhitkar's explanation on the allegations.

"In her reply, she stated that she was on leave at the time of the examination but NU officials had asked her to check the answer sheets. She said that she didn't have any information about the answer sheets that were being revaluated and had absolutely no idea that her sister's answer-sheet was among the lot she checked," Kane said.

Interestingly, while refuting the allegations, the CoE had termed the entire episode as an "act of mischief by someone". Likhitkar however couldn't be contacted for her comments.

The fraud came to fore after a person, TS Gedam, wrote to vice-chancellor, Vilas Sapkal, alleging that Likhitkar had helped her sister (Roll No. 108993) to clear Bachelor of Library Science (BLib) examination conducted in 2010-11 through unfair means. The letter claimed that Likhitkar herself checked the answer-sheets of her sister during revaluation and increased her marks in two subjects so as to enable her to clear the examinations.

The letter further mentioned that she had misused her position and failed to inform the university that her sister was appearing in the examination, thus violating rules.

The letter claimed that when her sister completed her Certificate Course in Library Science in 2008, she (Roll No. 171026) was declared failed and but she subsequently cleared her next exam with the help of Likhitkar. She had even visited MJ College when MLib practicals were being conducted in March and asked the college authorities to personally pay attention to her sister. The student is now doing her Masters in Library Science (MLib).

READ MORE NEWS AT : TIMES OF INDIA

Now, hit the books at 256 libraries set for upgrade

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday ordered upgradation of 96 village libraries as branch libraries and 160 part-time libraries as village libraries. To administer these upgraded libraries, 96 posts of Grade-III librarians and 160 posts of village librarians will be created.

The pay scale for the Grade III librarians will be Rs 5,200–20,000 with a grade pay of Rs 2,000, while the village librarians will get a special time pay scale of Rs 2,500- 5,000 with a grade pay of Rs 500.

The move will help students in particular, an official press release here said and recalled the view of former chief minister C N Annadurai on the importance of libraries: “Our people are particular about having separate rooms for performing poojas, cooking and sleeping. We can become truly enlightened people only when we are keen on having a separate room for reading too in our houses.”

MORE NEWS AT: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/now-hit-the-books-at-256-libraries-set-for-upgrade/284412-60-118.html

18th Delhi Book Fair, 2012 at Delhi in September

Ten Reasons to Love the Library

Whether it’s here in New Delhi or somewhere else entirely, for National Libraries Day or all year round, here are 10 great reasons why using the public library service is a really good idea:

1. Because it gives a huge boost to your community

Libraries are fantastic community facilities – in a world where public space is shrinking almost daily. To visit the library you don’t need to take out an expensive subscription or spend money in order to be welcome. And you’ll meet people from all walks of life there too. Libraries have something to offer no matter what your goals and ambitions – you can find a wonderful, escapist novel to read or a magazine with advice on getting fit. You can get a book to help you with a favourite hobby or to learn the skills you need to run a business. You can catch up with current affairs, trace your family history or do a computer course. Libraries truly offer something for everyone, and their fantastic, free facilities make our communities better and more prosperous places to live.

2. Because if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it

The library service is judged on two things – how many people go through the doors and how many items are borrowed. The council is currently committed to transforming the way it offers services in the future and, make no mistake about this, if library services are not well-used then they will be cut. The single most effective way to support your library is to use it regularly, make sure you know what’s on offer and tell other people.

3. Because a library card gives you access to all kinds of online subscriptions that you can use from home

In New Delhi you can access a great collection of reference resources from your computer at home. These include historic newspapers, dictionaries and encyclopaedias, journals and business publications, arts and literature resources and public information. And more subscriptions, including family history websites, are available from computers in branches. 

4. Because using the library is more easy and flexible than ever before

These days you can manage your account in person, by telephone or online. You can visit big or small branches, use mobile libraries or make use of online subscriptions. You can borrow fiction and non-fiction, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and DVDs as well as using reference services. And, if you can’t get into a branch due to a disability or mobility problem, there’s the home library service. There is a way of being a library member that will suit you and your lifestyle – it’s just a question of finding out what suits you best.

5. Because buying all the latest bestsellers costs a bomb

But the library service stocks them. Usually with multiple copies, often displayed prominently as you walk through the door. And, if the book you want is not on the shelf, then it can usually be tracked down for a small reservation fee. Don’t even get us started on the cost of providing a heap of picture books to a story-hungry toddler every month. And where else are you absolutely welcome to browse through the magazines without having to buy them? Using the library can save you a load of money on leisure and entertainment – and we haven’t even mentioned cost-effective music and DVD rental.

6. Because it’s a really simple, cost-free way to try out e-books

E-books can be quite worrying. For instance, do you have the right kind of device? Do you understand exactly what you are buying and what you can do with it? Are you getting value for money? How secure is the information you’ve provided to the publisher, and will you be bombarded with advertising messages? But use the library’s ebook borrowing service and many of these problems disappear. Hertfordshire offer ebooks in PDF and audio books in MP3 formats that work with a wide variety of devices. And they cost nothing to borrow.

7. Because libraries can help you keep up with interests, hobbies and current affairs

What do you like doing? Reading fat thrillers, escapist romances or the latest candidates for a literary prize? Catching up with memoirs or biographies of famous or interesting people? Flicking through glossy magazines or reading the supplements of broadsheets in detail? Pursuing hobbies like cooking, gardening, walking, travel, DIY, sport, fitness, fashion, pets, art, history, family history, crafts or collecting? Reading blogs and online news sites? Catching up with films or TV shows on DVD? Grabbing an audiobook to make your daily commute or a long journey more tolerable? You can access all these things (and many more) at your local library, either for free or for a very small charge.

8. Because you can get essential, reliable information to help you achieve your goals

What do you want to achieve? The local library can help you with personal goals like better fitness or a more healthy lifestyle. It can offer resources for learning a new language, improving your literacy and numeracy or mastering English as a second language. You can find out how to do important business tasks like accounting, project management or personnel management. You can learn more about your ancestors, understand how to manage a medical condition so it has less impact on your life, improve your computer skills, find out how to write an effective CV or brush up your interview technique, as well as checking job listings in local, national or specialist publications. You can master the driving theory or citizenship test, find out about educational courses, courses for fun, local groups and events going on in your community. Whatever you want to do to make your life better, there’s likely to be some help on offer.

9. Because you can get fast, easy Internet and PC access as well as free Wi-Fi

You’ve got Internet access and a computer at home, so why would you possibly need to use the library facilities? Because computers break like any other appliance and need time-consuming repair or replacement. Because Internet connections sometimes also break down, or other members of your household need to use the equipment at the same time you do. Because you occasionally need to make a copy or scan a document – but not often enough to invest in the equipment yourself. Where do you turn if any of this happens, just as you have an urgent task to complete? In Delhi Public Library, library members can enjoy a free hour’s PC and Internet use a day with just a small charge for non-members.

10. Because you never know what you’ll find until you look

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting the library is the fact you will be constantly surprised. Browse along the shelves and you never know what you might find there. It’s this sense of potential that makes library fans love their libraries so much. From a great new author to an interest you’ve been meaning to follow for years, a magazine you never knew about before or an undiscovered film by your favourite director, there’s always something wonderful and unexpected waiting for you at the library, however big or small it is. And long may it continue.

German language club to start today at Vivekanand Library, Bhopal

BHOPAL: Vivekananda Library will set up German language Club in the city on Monday. Members of the German course are now eligible for the club membership. For others, it would be open from the year end. 

According to a press release issued by the library, the first meeting of the German Club would be held on the library premises on Monday at 4.30. 

The meeting would be accompanied by the screening of a German film with English subtitles: The Bremen City Museum. A film would be screened at the club on every last Monday of the month. 

Following the film screening, result of the German exams held during the first week of August would be announced. 

As of now, the membership is open only for 75 students of German, who are members of the library. After November, those interested in German can become members at no additional cost.

More News at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/German-language-club-to-start-today/articleshow/15784673.cms

पुस्तकालयों के विकास को प्राप्त करें अनुदान

- राजकीय जिला पुस्तकालय से ले सकते हैं आवेदन का प्रारूप, जमा करने अंतिम तिथि 15 सितंबर

उन्नाव, हमारे संवाददाता : शिक्षा को बढ़ावा देने के लिए एक बार फिर से जिले के समस्त सार्वजनिक एवं माध्यमिक स्कूलों के पुस्तकालयों को सरकार की ओर से अनुदान दिया जाएगा। इसके लिए संचालकों को राजकीय जिला पुस्तकालय में संपर्क कर आवेदन करना होगा। आवेदन जमा करने की अंतिम तिथि 15 सितंबर निर्धारित की गई है।

जिले में संचालित सार्वजनिक एवं स्कूलों के पुस्तकालयों को अनुदान के माध्यम से भवन निर्माण, पुस्तक क्रय, फर्नीचर क्रय, बाल प्रभाग, महिला प्रकोष्ठ एवं वरिष्ठ नागरिक प्रभाग से संबंधित अनुदान उपलब्ध कराया जाएगा। अनुदान प्राप्ति के लिए संचालकों से अनुदान स्वीकृति पत्र आमंत्रित किये जाते हैं और इस योजना का लाभ वही पुस्तकालय उठा सकते हैं, जिनके पंजीकरण को 3 वर्ष पूरे हो चुके हों। समस्त लाइब्रेरी संचालकों को यह अनुदान पुस्तकालय अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत उपलब्ध कराया जाएगा। यह अनुदान पुस्तकालय प्रकोष्ठ, उत्तर प्रदेश शासन एवं कोलकाता के राजाराम मोहन राय पुस्तकालय प्रतिष्ठान कोलकाता की अनुदान योजनाओं के अन्तर्गत उपलब्ध कराया जा रहा है। आवेदक आवेदन पत्र एवं अन्य जानकारियों के लिए सिविल लाइन्स स्थित राजकीय जिला पुस्तकालय में संपर्क कर सकते हैं।

Read More News at: http://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/unnao-9600378.html

Call for papers for National Seminar in Chandigarh

The Chandigarh Librarians' Association (CLA) jointly with Punjab College Librarians' Association is organizing one day National Seminar on "Role of Libraries in Promoting Reading Habit in Electronic Environment" on 19th October 2012 at Chandigarh.

Papers are invited based on practice/research/best practices/case studies/user studies/surveys related to the theme and sub-themes as indicated below or also related to theme not listed below. 

 

Sub-Themes

ü Collection Development

ü Information Literacy Programme

ü Innovative library and information services

ü Collaborative initiatives

ü Developing/Promoting reading habit

ü Impact of information technology on reading habit

ü E-learning opportunities

ü Relationship between Library professionals and Readers

ü Best practices and case studies in promoting reading habit

ü Information Technology applications in School Libraries

ü Competencies of school librarians

The Last Date for submission of papers is 25th September 2012.

For details of paper submission, please see the brochure attached herewith. Please contact for more details: cla.chandigarh@gmail.com or gsecretary.cla@gmail.com

Warm regards

Jaspal Kaur, General Secretary

Chandigarh Librarians' Association

Cell-9814331913

Attachments:
CLA National Seminar.pdf

Kasturi Srinivasan Library celebrates valedictory of golden jubilee

The HinduPortrait unveiled: Tamil Nadu Governor seen at the golden jubilee celebration of The Kasturi Srinivasan Library in Chennai.

The Kasturi Srinivasan Library organised the valedictory function of its Golden Jubilee celebrations on August 22 at Bharathiyar Illam, T.P. Koil Street, Triplicane. The Tamil Nadu Governor, Dr. K. Rosaiah, who was the chief guest for the function, unveiled the portrait of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, Father of Information Science. Keynote address was delivered by Prof. E. Balaguruswamy, Member, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission. B.S. Raghavan, former Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura, was felicitated during the function.

Speaking at the function, Dr. Rosaiah said, “I am happy to learn that the Kasturi Srinivasan Library has more than 30,000 books and is a treasure trove for the visitors. I convey my warm felicitations to G. Nararyanasamy, president, office-bearers and members of the Triplicane Cultural Academy and to the management and members of the Kasturi Srinivasan Library.”

MORE NEWS AT: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3820967.ece