Google's diverse plans dominate headlines - Publishers berate Google as it pulls back Print project. As search engine giant adds another $4bn to its war chest, Bobby Pickering focuses on its two key announcements during the summer.

Publishers have given the thumbs down to Google's announcement that it is scaling down its Google Print Library Project. Google is giving publishers three months to provide it with lists of in-copyright books that will not be scanned if it comes across them in the libraries being digitised for the free Google Print Library project.

Google Print Product manager, Adam M Smith, acknowledged that the programme has caused industry unease and spawned much debate.

He said: "As with many ambitious ideas, Google Print has sparked a healthy amount of discussion, and we've been listening. Over the past few months, we've been talking with publishers, publishing industry organisations and authors about our Google Print Publisher Program and Google Print Library Project."

Smith said two new initiatives were being undertaken. The first allows publishers that sign up for its Print programme to provide a list of their books that, if scanned in a library context, will be immediately added to their account with Google.

Publishers' benefit from taking part in Print by: having the text of their books in Google searches; having searchers directed to their websites; being given reports by Google on the level of interest in their books; and earning revenues through targeted advertising.

However, for publishers that have not joined the programme, Google is offering a temporary respite. Smith ...