Microsoft is following Google’s lead in trying to scan books and make them available online for search. The difference here, though, is that it’s seeking permission first.

Todd Bishop of Seattle Post-Intelligencer writes:

Microsoft’s MSN unit is working on its own service for searching the contents of books online - trailing rival Google once again, but hoping this time to avoid a major challenge encountered by the Internet search leader.

Microsoft says its MSN Book Search project will differ from Google’s by scanning copyrighted books only after working out deals in advance with the copyright holders.

The Microsoft project, announced Tuesday night, puts the Redmond company on the side of traditional book publishers in one of the key conflicts of the emerging digital age.

Google, under a deal with several major libraries, plans to scan and index copyrighted books unless the copyright owner opts out. Google defends the Google Print Library project as legal and says the search service - displaying only small snippets of text from copyrighted books - will actually encourage book sales…

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