A quick mind-game - it’s not terribly abusive, I promise. [note: this post purposefully ignores the arguments against the very foundation of IP law, along with what constitutes physical "damage" and any other anthropromophized metaphysical disconnect between physical property and mere concepts written on paper].
What if Google were to lose their lawsuits brought by the Authors Guild and Association of American Publishers? I mean financially speaking. Google has approximately $7 billion in cash, could they not simply purchase the “copyrights” of those suing them? Even in a “hostile takeover bid” situation?
Perhaps the senior management considered this perspective and was willing to test the waters…
Though it would also set a bad precedent, because everyone whom owned a ‘copyright’ would then sue Google with the hopes of being bought out.
And we know that no one has enough money to purchase the entire adult book industry, let alone J. K. Rowling.
Oh and be sure to check out Cringely’s latest shenanigans: 1 2