This page suggests that only a limited number of pages are available so that it is used to promote the book:
http://books.google.com/intl/en/googlebooks/publisher.html


>I find it hard to believe that it is legal. I can't imagine having access to all of the Harry Potter books via Google... wait let me just check.... :o)
>
>
>>My first thought was to check my contract to see if Whil can allow Google to publish my book online. If so, then there isn't much I can do about it as the copyright holder. If not, then I'm leaning to get it taken down.
>>
>>>
>>>That's basically my take. But OTOH for a case like VFP it might help reach out to more people, at the cost of denying some income to you guys (I know the TON of money you made). I don't like the idea of circumventing copyright. I know Google had some legal issues on this.
>>>
>>>I had not read up on the issue and do not know if Whil (the publisher) had to allow them to do this or they go about it unnanounced. It is a thorny issue.