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Online textbook startup Boundless settles suit

Victor Barreiro Jr.

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Boundless and traditional publishers can now continue to find ways to improve education without bumping heads

SETTLED SUIT. Boundless and traditional textbook publishers can return the focus to education rather than copyrights. Screen shot from Boundless webpage

MANILA, Philippines – Free textbook provider Boundless settled its 2012 lawsuit against a number of publishing companies, allowing all the companies involved to continue to better education for students.

Back in 2012, textbook makers Pearson Education, Cengage Learning, and Macmillan sued Boundless, which provides free or otherwise low-cost textbooks developed from free and publicly available resources.

The suit claimed that Boundless was guilty of copyright infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition. As Boundless provided content “equivalent” to the textbooks made by the publishers, the claim said it was tantamount to copyright infringement.

Boundless reportedly countered with its own argument earlier this year, saying that Boundless’ free textbooks are based on public domain material. It also accused textbook publishers of a copyright monopoly.

Before a trial could take place, Pando Daily reports that Boundless and the textbook publishers settled for an undisclosed set of terms. 

In a statement, Boundless CEO Ariel Diaz said, “In agreeing to a confidential settlement agreement, along with a public judgment and injunction entered by the Court, the parties have resolved the dispute. The resolution allows the parties to move forward and focus on their mutually shared goal of helping students learn.”

Diaz added, “The transition to a digital educational content foundation has been slowed by a conservative industry, a search for new business models, and a lack of great products.”

“Thankfully, we’re finally on the verge of solving this. “ – Rappler.com

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Victor Barreiro Jr.

Victor Barreiro Jr is part of Rappler's Central Desk. An avid patron of role-playing games and science fiction and fantasy shows, he also yearns to do good in the world, and hopes his work with Rappler helps to increase the good that's out there.