Chinese writers and Google negotiate copyright issues

During the last two months of 2009, China Written Works Copyright Society (CWWCS) and Google held three rounds of negotiations over Google's scanning and digitization of books. Until recently, Google offered an inventory that included more than 100,000 Chinese books. CWWCS claimed there are disparities between the inventory and what it knows. Other than this, the two sides have not reached any substantial agreements.

Previously, China's National Copyright Administration had voiced its support for the writers. Google has paid a lot of attention to the issue and even sent a senior manager to China for the talks. CWWCS has taken a firm stand, requesting a solution and a compensation proposal from Google, although there is still a long way to go for both sides to agree on a settlement.

Reportedly, the fourth round of negotiations will start in January 2010.