S Internet giant Google said Monday it would launch an electronic books service in Japan next year despite a chilly reception from major Japanese publishers.
The Japanese version of Google Editions may have to start with a limited number of titles, said Yoichi Sato, a strategic partner development manager at Google Japan.
Major Japanese publishers are still uneasy about handing over book data, especially of in-copyright titles, to the foreign IT giant, fearing that the content may be used for unintended purposes, Sato told a media briefing.
Japanese copyright laws also require strict and complicated permission processes involving authors and publishers, before Google can use book contents for online searches and sales, he said.
"Hopefully, the industry's recent development to prepare for the full-fledged spread of e-books in Japan will help improve understanding for our project," Sato said.
Google Editions is similar to but separate from a controversial Google Books search project that aims to make all the world's written works available online. LINK
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