Image via CrunchBaseThis showed up in e-mail this morning from Google, it seems that they have reached a tentative agreement over Google book search with the authors and publishers that were trying to sue them into the ground. The complete text of the e-mail is below.

Dear Google Book Search partner,

Today Google and the group of authors and publishers who were plaintiffs in the U.S. Google Book Search lawsuits announced a groundbreaking settlement agreement. This settlement, on behalf of a broad class of copyright holders, opens new opportunities for everyone – authors, publishers, libraries, Google and readers. You can learn more about the settlement and how it may affect you and your authors by visiting the copyright settlement site ( http://books.google.com/booksrightsholders/). Because the settlement is awaiting Court approval, we’re limited in our ability to discuss it with you. However, you are encouraged to contact the Settlement Administrator or Class Counsel, whose contact information is on the settlement website, for further assistance. You may also be interested in reading our blog post to users ( http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-chapter-for-google-book-search.html).

The proposed settlement covers books that were digitized as a part of the Google Book Search Library Project ( http://books.google.com/googlebooks/library.html). The relationship we have with you under the Google Book Search Partner Program does not change, although you will be entitled to the benefits conferred on you under the settlement, if and when the settlement is approved by the Court. You will continue to be able to market your books through the Partner Program exactly as you do today, and we’ll be in touch about new features and opportunities for maximizing the benefits of the Partner Program for your books.

Because the settlement is awaiting preliminary approval by the court, there is no specific action you need to take, although we encourage you to visit the copyright settlement site ( http://books.google.com/booksrightsholders/) and read the material there. You will also be able to sign up on the site to be notified when more information about the settlement is available.

Of course, if you have questions about the Google Book Search Partner Program, please don’t hesitate to contact us ( http://books.google.com/support/partner/bin/request.py).

Best regards,

The Google Book Search Team

You can also find this on their web site right here.

What does this mean? Not much right now other than a very long and protracted lawsuit is finally grinding to a close. While I have a very different idea on digital goods, free culture (thanks Lawrence Lessig) giving things away for free (Thanks Internet), this might just be the break that will help authors, publishers, and Google find that elusive middle ground.

Not everything you buy is worth the price, not everything is a great major best seller, and some books are actually pretty lousy. That is ok, in the world of digital goods, what you download might be interesting, and if it is go buy it. If not, well that is cool too.