Chinawriter.com.cn has posted a message allegedly from Google which states that the American search engine will compensate Chinese writers USD60 for each book of each writer who agrees to allow Google to use the book online.
This payment policy has angered many Chinese writers, who have filled online forums with statements about Google's autocratic behavior.
The search engine stated in the announcement that it would pay at least USD60 to each writer for each book if the writer agrees to reconcile with Google, and the writer can receive 63% of the revenue from readers' online downloading of the book in the future. However, the company stated that writers who are willing to reach reconciliation with Google should file an application for this compensation before June 5, 2010, or they shall be deemed to waive their rights in the future. And those who disagree with the compensation clause shall file a lawsuit no later than January 5, 2010.
Many writers have refused to accept the reconciliation agreement and have spurned Google's take-it-or-leave-it attitude. "Google wants to calm us down with only USD60. Let it go to hell," stated Chen Cun, one of the writers whose works have allegedly been illegally used by Google. Some Chinese writers are considering filing a joint lawsuit against Google.
Statistics quoted today by many Chinese media, but lacking any source details, are claiming that Google has illegally scanned 17922 works of 570 Chinese writers for its digital library.
