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Microsoft To Launch Online Book Library

Microsoft is jumping into the online book search world with a new initiative called MSN Book Search.

When launched in beta form next year, the service will feature content from the Open Content Alliance, a non-profit organization that counts Yahoo! among its founding supporters. Microsoft is joining the alliance and will donate enough money to scan 150,000 books for the project, according to reports.

Unlike Google Print -- which is facing lawsuits from publishers who don't want their works included -- the Open Content Alliance will only scan copyrighted materials if it has permission from the owner.

"We are excited to be working with libraries worldwide to digitize and index information from the world's printed materials, taking another step in our efforts to better answer people's questions with trusted content from the best sources," Christopher Payne, corporate vice president of MSN Search at Microsoft, said in a statement.

About the Author

Becky Nagel is the vice president of Web & Digital Strategy for 1105's Converge360 Group, where she oversees the front-end Web team and deals with all aspects of digital projects at the company, including launching and running the group's popular virtual summit and Coffee talk series . She an experienced tech journalist (20 years), and before her current position, was the editorial director of the group's sites. A few years ago she gave a talk at a leading technical publishers conference about how changes in Web browser technology would impact online advertising for publishers. Follow her on twitter @beckynagel.

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