There’s equal reason to support or object to the proposed Google Books settlement.

Creating a digital catalog of the worlds’ words might be the Holy Grail of intellectual empowerment.

Yet building that library in the clouds would be allowed without the rights-holders’ consent — which the Justice Department and others contend is a complete and fundamental alteration of copyright law.

The Authors Guild is backing the settlement in hopes of creating a new and legitimate book-selling venue. In a message to members Friday, it supported the development of a digital marketplace for the world’s words as a counter to digital piracy.

What’s more, the group noted it didn’t want to be like the Recording Industry Association of America. The labels’ lobbying and litigation arm has sued thousands of individuals and music-trading sites — lawsuits that have not dented the illegal, pirated-music marketplace.

» via Wired