Second Circuit Affirms Ruling Against Nonprofit Internet Archive, Orders Removal of 500,000 Books

Sep 4, 2024, 08:56 PM

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling against the nonprofit Internet Archive in a significant copyright infringement case brought by major book publishers, including Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Wiley. The court concluded that the Internet Archive's practice of scanning and lending digital copies of print books for free without publisher permission does not constitute fair use. This decision mandates the removal of over 500,000 books from the Internet Archive's digital library, impacting public access to these materials. The Internet Archive expressed disappointment and is reviewing the court's opinion. This ruling could have far-reaching implications for digital libraries and the preservation of cultural heritage.