Business and Tax Lawyer Blog

A new patent awarded to Google has sparked a media debate over Google's intended use for the software method in question. The patented method allows Google to selectively restrict content based on a variety of parameters, including geographic location. This has led some to believe that Google may be trying to censor certain content in specific countries, which is something Google has taken a stand against in their ongoing war of words with China. But a closer look at the wording of the patent would seem to imply that the new software method is more about protecting Google from copyright infringement in relation to its new book scanning initiative. In fact, the major use case presented in the patent describes a system where the accessibility of scanned reading materials is either restricted or limited to certain passages based on user access privileges that are based on local copyright laws. This step is necessary for Google because of a lack of consistency in copyright law and Fair Use Doctrine from one country to another. What is considered public domain or fair use in one country may spark a copyright infringement lawsuit in another. The new patent appears to have been designed to help Google remain compliant with copyright laws around the world. You can read more details by visiting Google content-filter patent about copyright, not censorship. If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida or Orlando, Florida area and require assistance with a patent application or copyright protection, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.