Google, Hachette Livre sign digital book deal

Google and French publishing group Hachette Livre have signed an agreement over the digitisation of French language books whose rights are owned by Hachette. The agreement concerns thousands of works, currently not available on the market. The deal is aimed at breathing new life into these out-of-print works, to the benefit of authors, universities, researchers and the general public. Google and Hachette Livre said they hope the protocol will serve as an example for other French editors. Under the terms of the deal, Hachette Livre will determine which books get digitised, for either Google's ebook reader, or for other purposes. Those books not chosen for digitisation will be removed from the agreement. The agreement also seeks to ensure that the out-of-print books will bring revenue to both authors and editors as book stores will be able to sell the ebooks. Digitised ebooks will also be brought to the National Library of France, to become a part of the country's cultural heritage and for all readers. Google and Hachette Livre said they will take six months to work on the protocol before coming out with a definitive contract.