Internet Archive Says ‘Open Library’ Protected by Fair Use

The Internet Archive responded to a complaint filed by four major book publishers in Manhattan federal court alleging that its digital book-lending initiative infringes their copyrights, arguing that its “Open Library” is protected by the fair use doctrine, in a case that could help clarify the doctrine’s limits.

The Archive said its project “serves the public interest in preservation, access and research—all classic fair use purposes.”

“Copyright law does not stand in the way of libraries’ right to lend, and patrons’ right to borrow, the books that libraries own,” the Archive said.

Hachette Book Group Inc., HarperCollins Publishers LLC, John ...