As noted briefly in our anniversary post last month, it’s been another busy year for the small but mighty crew at PL + PM, with multiple site enhancements as well as daily reporting that goes deeper than ever. Below is an informal recap, not necessarily of the year’s “biggest” stories, but of pieces and coverage areas where Lunch has brought an extra dimension to community knowledge: All Things AI We have endeavored to provide serious consideration of the issues, opportunities, and egregious theft throughout the year. Among some of our more notable firsts and/or onlies: We revealed the actual AI […]
2024: The Year In Legal News
This year legal themes were almost all holdovers from the battles being fought in 2023. In one significant final chapter, the Association of American Publishers prevailed over the Internet Archive—again. In September, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the finding that held IA guilty of “wholesale and unauthorized copying” and the illegal files started coming down. That decision became final in December, as the deadline for IA to file a cert petition with the Supreme Court passed. The IA will now make an unspecified monetary judgment payment to the organization. Book bans were once again—and will likely continue to […]
People 12/17
Waterstones Affected By Ransomware Attack
UK bookstore chain Waterstones has been affected by a broader ransomware attack on Blue Yonder supply chain software, the Bookseller reports. The attack, which affected hundreds of companies in the US and UK, disrupted connectivity in the bookseller’s warehouse systems, a spokesperson for Waterstones said. Bookstores have not been affected. “Progress is being made with recovery at Blue Yonder and thankfully our own systems have not been affected,” the spokesperson said. “Our workarounds have been effective and we have continued to receive deliveries and send daily deliveries to our shops.” Ransomware gang Termite has claimed responsibility for the attack, which […]
Acquisitions: Soaring Kite Books
Lerner Publishing Group has acquired children’s publisher Soaring Kite Books, effective January 1. Soaring Kite will continue to operate under its current name, with founder Ceece Kelley remaining involved as a consultant. Adam Lerner, ceo and publisher of Lerner Publishing Group, said in a release, “Lerner has had the privilege of distributing Soaring Kite Books since their inaugural publishing season in 2021, and over the past few years, we’ve seen firsthand the tremendous impact their titles have had on young readers and educators alike. This successful partnership has paved the way for Soaring Kite to become a Lerner imprint. We […]