[Nfbk] FW: National Federation of the Blind Comments on Rejection of Google Books Settlement

[Cathy]

-----Original Message-----
From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 4:50 PM
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Rena Smith; Ron Brown; Gardner, Ron; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Selena
Sundling-Crawford; Terry Sheeler
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Comments on Rejection of Google
Books Settlement


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind Comments
on Rejection of Google Books Settlement



Baltimore, Maryland (March 22, 2011): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the
National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the
Blind supports access by the blind to the vast amount of knowledge contained
in the millions of books available throughout the world, and we believe that
the Google Books settlement is one way to achieve that access.  For that
reason, we are disappointed that the court has rejected the settlement.  We
will analyze the decision carefully and then determine our future course."



On September 10, 2009, the National Federation of the Blind testified before
the House Judiciary Committee that the proposed settlement between Google
and authors and publishers regarding the Google Books project should be
approved.  The Google Books settlement would have made millions of titles
available to the blind and other Americans with print disabilities,
providing more access to the printed word than the blind have had in all of
human history.





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About the National Federation of the Blind



With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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