Tech Shout!

Microsoft today posed a direct challenge to Google as it announced plans to digitize around 100,000 books - 25 million pages - from the British Library.

In a “strategic partnershipâ€?, the software giant and the British Library will collaborate to digitize out-of-copyright books. The digitised contents will be made available on the library’s website and through the new MSN Book Search service that will facilitate the finding of books.

The British Library’s gigantic compilation includes 13 million books, 7 million manuscripts, 4.5 million maps, 56 million patents, 3.5 million sound recordings, 8 million stamps, and 58 million newspapers in various formats.

On the other hand, Google is not new to this territory. Last year, it launched the Google Print to help people to search the contents of books online and, according to Google, thereby making the tracking down of relevant books a simpler task.

The scheme consists of a publisher program that induces book firms to make their titles searchable online, and the Google Print Library Project, a scheme to upload books at a number of major libraries.

On one hand Microsoft is working with the British Library, and on the other Google is digitizing the work of five of the world’s other renowned libraries - Stanford, Harvard and Michigan university libraries, the New York public library and the Bodleian library in Oxford.

In focusing on out-of-copyright books, Microsoft is navigating clear of a legal minefield. Whereas publishers and authors are up in arms over Google’s plans to scan books that are still covered by copyright protection, and have taken legal action to stop Google.

Alistair Baker, a managing director at Microsoft, said the company is putting $2.5m (£1.4m) into its British Library venture next year as an initial investment, whereas Microsoft has made it clear that it is in for the long haul.

“Our partnership with the British Library is not only about digitization and preservation, but also about delivering a great experience for people accessing this amazing collection through British Library and MSN websitesâ€?, said Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft.

Microsoft is already working with the British Library to help build the infrastructure for the National Digital Library. It will provide software tools, advice and technical support to the library’s experts.

Whilst announcing its endeavor with the British Library, Microsoft has made it clear that it intends to join battle with Google in the battle over digital duplication of media, including music, movies and now books.