Post #3214944

2025-07-02 03:25 UTC

@dhobern@scicomm.xyz @Yuvalne@433.world -"unlimited-numbers-of-copies part in your first message relates only to a short period during the pandemic." No. IA is *still* distributing unlimited numbers of unrestricted copies through unique URL for each page scan on Archive.org. IA does not identity copyright status of books it has scanned, but vast majority appear to be in copyright and unauthorized. See examples in the link and walkthrough I provided earlier: https://nwu.org/what-is-the-internet-archive-doing-with-our-books/

Replies (1)

@dhobern@scicomm.xyz 2025-07-02 04:01

@ehasbrouck@urbanists.social @Yuvalne@433.world Thanks again. The URL-per-page is a technical aspect (one that I rely on daily for managing references to materials in the #BiodiversityHeritageLibrary - part of IA, but separate from the OpenLibrary). The issues at question are the channels by which books become scanned copies, the proportions of such texts that can be accessed by users, and whether IA is operating properly as a library in what its doing for the still-encumbered works. I do understand your concern and won't try to argue you into seeing IA as a positive, although I am confident it is one of the most important efforts we have for ensuring the preservation of human knowledge and culture in increasingly dark times. I do believe that the NWU page weakens its case by repeatedly insinuating bad faith (e.g. in the comments following the take-down of the freelance writers' guide).

Open ##3214945