INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Software company Microsoft Corporation has announced that it is to launch a new service offering online searches of books and writings.

Working in conjunction with the Open Content Alliance, whose participants include Internet company Yahoo Inc, the new service aims to provide users with access to approximately 150,000 pieces of published material.

According to The Associated Press, Microsoft is keen to avoid the copyright problems that have plagued Google's Print Project and the alliance is working to make books and other offline content available online without antagonising publishers and authors.

A test version of the product is reportedly scheduled for launch in 2006.

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