Institutional Subscriptions.
Category Archives: Section 4.1
S 04.1.1
(a) General Guidelines for Pricing of Institutional Subscriptions.
S 04.1.1.1
One response to “S 04.1.1.1”
(i) Objectives. The economic terms for Institutional Subscriptions of Books will be governed by two objectives: (1) the realization of revenue at market rates for each Book and license on behalf of Rightsholders and (2) the realization of broad access to the Books by the public, including institutions of higher education. Plaintiffs and Google view these two objectives as compatible, and agree that these objectives will help assure both long-term revenue to the Rightsholders and accessibility of the Books to the public.
S 04.1.1.2
2 responses to “S 04.1.1.2”
(ii) Parameters. Google and the Registry will use the following parameters to determine the price of Institutional Subscriptions: pricing of similar products and services available from third parties, the scope of Books available, the quality of the scan and the features offered as part of the Institutional Subscription. Plaintiffs and Google expect that the number of Books available through an Institutional Subscription will change over time. As such, the value and price of Institutional Subscriptions may also change over time.
S 04.1.1.3
(iii) FTE Basis. Pricing will be based on FTEs (Full-Time Equivalency). For Higher Education Institutions, FTE is defined as full-time equivalent students.
S 04.1.1.4
(iv) Pricing Bands. FTE-based pricing, including pricing bands, may vary across broad categories of institutions. The categories are:
S 04.1.1.4.1
5 responses to “S 04.1.1.4.1”
(1) Corporate (may include per seat licensing in addition to FTE);
S 04.1.1.4.2
(2) Higher Education Institutions, which will be sub-divided into sub-categories based on the Carnegie Classifications for Institutions of Higher Education within the United States;
S 04.1.1.4.3
6 responses to “S 04.1.1.4.3”
(3) School (K-12) (no remote access without Registry approval);
S 04.1.1.4.4
One response to “S 04.1.1.4.4”
(4) Government (no remote access without Registry approval) (may include per seat licensing in addition to FTE);
S 04.1.1.4.5
2 responses to “S 04.1.1.4.5”
(5) Public (no remote access without Registry approval); and
S 04.1.1.4.6
4 responses to “S 04.1.1.4.6”
S 04.1.1.5
(v) Versions of Institutional Subscriptions. When Google offers any Institutional Subscription, Google will offer a version of the Institutional Subscription that provides access to all Books available for Institutional Subscriptions pursuant to this Amended Settlement Agreement (the “Institutional Subscription Database”) for a fee. In addition, Google may identify Institutional Subscriptions for a small number of discipline-based collections of Books that Google would offer as an alternative to the version of the Institutional Subscription that provides access to the entire Institutional Subscription Database. To provide an incentive for institutions to subscribe to the entire Institutional Subscription Database, Google shall design the pricing of the different versions of the Institutional Subscription such that the price for access to the entire Institutional Subscription Database will be less than the sum of the prices for access to the discipline-based collections.
S 04.1.1.6
(vi) Pricing Strategy. Prior to beginning to sell Institutional Subscriptions, Google shall propose an initial pricing strategy and, thereafter, Google shall propose subsequent pricing strategies, consistent with the objectives set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i) (Objectives) (each, a “Pricing Strategy”), to the Registry.
S 04.1.1.6.1
(1) Elements of Pricing Strategy. Each Pricing Strategy shall include:
S 04.1.1.6.1.1
a) Any discipline-based collections that would be offered as an Institutional Subscription, as an alternative to the version of the Institutional Subscription that provides access to the entire Institutional Subscription Database.
S 04.1.1.6.1.2
b) A target retail price for each Institutional Subscription for each of the classes of institutions identified in Section 4.1(a)(iv) (Pricing Bands), including Institutional Subscriptions for each of the discipline-based collections that may be offered, Institutional Subscriptions that provide access to the entire Institutional Subscription Database, and any Limited Subscriptions.
S 04.1.1.6.1.3
c) The period of time over which Google will have the authorization to sell the versions of the Institutional Subscription at such target retail prices.
S 04.1.1.6.1.4
d) Any expected increases or decreases in the price of each version of the Institutional Subscription at annual anniversary points during the period in which the then-current Pricing Strategy will be in effect.
S 04.1.1.6.1.5
e) The amount of discount, if any, that Google is authorized to offer to institutions and to Institutional Consortia.
Any discounts above the approved discount require Registry approval.
S 04.1.1.6.1.6
f) The Price Change Cut Off Date.
S 04.1.1.6.2
(2) Discounting. The initial Pricing Strategy will also include a discount from the List Prices that will be offered for a limited period of time to subscribers. This discount will be defined against the List Price and is designed to encourage potential customers to subscribe. The period for an initial discount will be included in the initial Pricing Strategy.
S 04.1.1.6.3
(3) Duration. The period for the initial Pricing Strategy to be in effect is expected to be between two (2) and three (3) years. Google and the Registry shall agree as to the periods for which subsequent Pricing Strategies will be in effect.
S 04.1.1.6.4
(4) Process.
S 04.1.1.6.4.1
a) Initial Pricing Strategies. The initial Pricing Strategy must be agreed upon by Google and the Registry before Google sells any Institutional Subscriptions. Google shall submit aproposed initial Pricing Strategy to the Registry by no later than one year after the Effective Date. Following submission of the initial Pricing Strategy, Google and the Registry shall negotiate for a period of up to one hundred and eighty (180) days. If, after one hundred and eighty (180) days (or earlier, as mutually agreed), Google and the Registry do not reach agreement on the initial Pricing Strategy, the dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution).
S 04.1.1.6.4.2
b) Subsequent Pricing Strategies. Google shall submit subsequent proposed Pricing Strategies to the Registry at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the then-current Pricing Strategy, and Google and the Registry shall negotiate for a period of up to ninety (90) days. If, after ninety (90) days (or earlier, as mutually agreed), Google and the Registry do not reach agreement on such proposed Pricing Strategy, the dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution). In the event of such a dispute, the then-current Pricing Strategy will continue to apply unless and until the earlier of (1) Google and the Registry agreeing on a subsequent Pricing Strategy or (2) the Arbitrator rendering a Decision.
S 04.1.1.7
(vii) Comparable Products and Services. FTE-based prices in the initial Pricing Strategy will be based upon then-current prices for comparable products and services, surveys of potential subscribers, and other methods for collecting data and market assessment. Google shall be responsible for collecting data comparing the target retail prices for the versions of the Institutional Subscription to the prices of similar products and services (including by use of a third party tocollect such data if the Registry requests that Google use a third party, which third party will be subject to the Registry’s approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and shall provide such data to the Registry.
S 04.1.1.8
(viii) Adjustments to Pricing Strategy.
S 04.1.1.8.1
(1) Google Proposed Adjustments. Google may propose adjustments to the then-current agreed upon Pricing Strategy. If Google and the Registry cannot agree to a change to the Pricing Strategy after negotiating for a period of sixty (60) days after Google’s notice of its proposal for adjustments, then the dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution) consistent with the objectives set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i) (Objectives). Such sixty (60)-day period may be changed by mutual written agreement of Google and the Registry. In the event of such a dispute, the then-current price will continue to apply unless and until the earlier of (a) Google and the Registry agreeing to changes to the Pricing Strategy or (b) the Arbitrator rendering a Decision; provided, however, that Google and the Registry may agree, or an Arbitrator pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution) may require, that the new pricing be retroactive to sixty (60) days after the date of Google’s notice of adjustments to the then-current agreed upon Pricing Strategy.
S 04.1.1.8.2
(2) Registry Proposed Adjustments. The Registry may propose adjustments to the then-current agreed upon Pricing Strategy. If Google and the Registry cannot agree to a change to the Pricing Strategy after negotiating for a period of sixty (60) days after the Registry’s notice of its proposal for adjustments, then the dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution) consistent with the objectives set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i) (Objectives). Such sixty (60)-day period may be changed by mutual written agreement of Google and the Registry. In the event of such a dispute, the then-current price will continue to apply unless and until the earlier of (a) Google and the Registry agreeing to changes to the Pricing Strategy or (b) the Arbitrator rendering a Decision. If the renegotiation of the Pricing Strategy concludes, or if the Arbitrator renders a Decision, prior to the Price Change Cut Off Date, then any increase in the price resulting from the renegotiation or Decision will take effect for the academic year first starting after the Price Change Cut Off Date. If the renegotiation of the Pricing Strategy concludes, or if the Arbitrator renders a Decision, on or after the Price Change Cut Off Date, then any price increase will take effect not for the academic year first starting after the Price Change Cut Off Date, but in the next following academic year. In addition, any price increase will not apply to any then-existing subscriber contracts until they are renewed or extended. “Price Change Cut Off Date” means a date that is prior to the commencement of the academic year first starting after such date and that is set to provide Google with a reasonable period of time within which to sell the Institutional Subscription for that academic year without an intervening price increase for Institutional Subscriptions, which period of time reasonably approximates the typical sales cycle for comparable products and services.
S 04.1.1.9
(ix) Adjunct Products. Google will inform the Registry of any Google Products and Services that Google offers for a fee as an adjunct to any Institutional Subscription or (if Google and the Registry agree to offer Consumer Subscriptions) Consumer Subscription, which product or service meets the following conditions:
S 04.1.1.9.1
(1) the preponderance of the value of such product or service tousers of the subscription is realized through access to Books through suchsubscription, and
S 04.1.1.9.2
(2) such product or service exploits access to Books by users of the subscription in a manner that could not, with similar efforts, be similarly exploited by other entities ((1) and (2) together, an “Adjunct Product”).
S 04.1.1.9.3
(3) The Registry will have the right immediately to renegotiate and, if necessary, resolve pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution), with Google the prices of the applicable Institutional Subscription(s) or Consumer Subscription(s) with which such Adjunct Product is used under the procedures set forth in Section 4.1(a)(viii) (Adjustments to Pricing Strategy), which revised prices will apply prospectively only. Google, at its sole discretion, may choose to remove access to Books as part of the Adjunct Product or modify the Adjunct Product in a manner that ensures that conditions in clauses (1) and (2) above are no longer met if Google wishes to avoid the Registry’s option of renegotiating or resolving pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution). Renegotiation and resolution pursuant to Article IX (Dispute Resolution), as set forth in this Section4.1(a)(ix) (Adjunct Products), shall be the Registry’s sole remedy and Google’s sole obligation for disputes under this Section 4.1(a)(ix) (Adjunct Products).
S 04.1.2
(b) Institutional Consortia. Google may work through Institutional Consortia to sell Institutional Subscriptions.
S 04.1.3
(c) Intermediaries. Google may work through intermediaries to sell Institutional Subscriptions, subject to Registry approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
S 04.1.4
One response to “S 04.1.4”
(d) Basic Features of Institutional Subscriptions. Institutional Subscriptions will enable users to view, copy/paste, and print pages of a Book, and may enable Book Annotations. With respect to copy/paste, the user will not be able to select, copy and paste more than four (4) pages of the content of a Display Book with a single copy/paste command. Printing will be on a page-by-page basis or a page range basis, but the user will not be able to select a page range that is greater than twenty (20) pages with one print command for printing. Google will include a visible watermark on pages printed from the Institutional Subscription Database, which identifies the material as copyrighted and displays encrypted session identifying information provided by the subscribing institution during such session, and which could be used to identify the authorized user that printed the material or the access point from which the material was printed. Such watermark will not obscure the content of the printed pages.
S 04.1.5
2 responses to “S 04.1.5”
(e) Institutional Subscription Terms and Conditions. In its terms and conditions applicable to Institutional Subscriptions, (i) Google will (1) limit access to Books to appropriate individuals within the subscriber institution (e.g., in the case of educational institutions, faculty, students, researchers, staff members, librarians, personnel and business invitees of the subscriber and walk-in users from the general public; in the case of corporate or government offices, personnel and business invitees; and, in the case of Public Libraries, library patrons and personnel), (2) permit users to view, copy/paste, and print pages of Books only to the extent authorized under this Amended Settlement Agreement, (3) permit users to make available the Books and Inserts in the Institutional Subscription Database to other users of that Institutional Subscription through hyperlinks, or similar or appropriate technology, when such Books and Inserts are served by Google, for course use (e.g., e-reserves and course management systems), only to the extent authorized under this Amended Settlement Agreement, (4) not prohibit any uses of Books or Inserts that would otherwise be permitted under the Copyright Act without the need for express authorization from the Rightsholder, and (5) include the right for Google to restrict or terminate a user’s account, including additional restrictions on printing and copy/paste, if the user distributes the copyrighted material from a Book in a manner that is prohibited by the terms and conditions or applicable law, and (ii) Google may enable Book Annotations. Prior to Google’s initial launch of the Institutional Subscription, Google will provide to the Registry a copy of the terms and conditions applicable to any Institutional Subscriptions offered by Google.
S 04.1.6
2 responses to “S 04.1.6”
(f) Subscriber Experience. The experience and rights provided to subscribers and their users under Institutional Subscriptions will be no less favorable to them than the experience and rights offered in the Consumer Purchase, except that such experience and rights will be time-limited to the duration of the Institutional Subscription. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing, Institutional Subscriptions must permit searching the full text of Books in the Institutional Subscription Database and, in the case of Higher Education Institutions, permit users to make available the Books and Inserts in the Institutional Subscription Database to other users of the Institutional Subscription through hyperlinks, or similar or appropriate technology, as described in Section 4.1(e) (Institutional Subscription Terms and Conditions).
S 04.1.7
(g) Beta Testing. Google may provide Institutional Subscriptions to a limited number of institutions as a beta product free of charge prior to the initial launch. Unless otherwise agreed by the Registry, Google shall be authorized to offer Institutional Subscriptions in beta form to up to five (5) Fully Participating Libraries and Cooperating Libraries, up to two (2) Public Libraries, up to two (2) not-for-profit institutions within each of the Carnegie Classifications for Institutions of Higher Education within the United States and, as agreed between Google and the Registry, other libraries. At least one institution from each such category of institutions shall be included in the beta-test group. Google shall provide to the Registry all pricing-related data collected from these beta-test partners to assist in the pricing for the versions of the Institutional Subscriptions. Once the beta Institutional Subscription is launched, Google shall be able to continue to support then-existing beta customers until the earlier of (i) two (2) years from the launch of the beta product (unless a longer period of time is agreed by the Registry) or (ii) launch of the Institutional Subscription.
I like Matthew Sag’s comment on this section, in one of his presentations on YouTube: “This of course makes no sense. These twin objectives, maximising revenue and maximising public access, can only be consistent up to to a point. At the end of the day, Google and the Registry have to choose one or the other as their primary objective.”