Google Inc. and a major Japanese writers' group have issued a joint statement saying they have resolved concerns raised by copyright owners and agreed to build a cooperative relationship over the Internet giant's project to digitize university library content.
The Google Books Library Project allows users to view excerpts of text containing search keywords, but Google and the Japan P.E.N. Club said they confirmed that such excerpts will be made inaccessible if requested by members of the club and publishers.
They also said works will be excluded from the digitization project upon request. The club was opposed to unauthorized digitization of books.
The two sides said Monday they have decided to proceed with a project to translate modern Japanese literature and other works to make them available for a wider audience.