Microsoft gives up on book scanning

In the year 2008, Microsoft leaves book scanning to Google. This is according to report from the Associated Press [Source]. In 2005, Microsoft supporting a Yahoo effort began scanning books.

According to Microsoft the book scanning project is no longer in line with their goals. And is shutting down its website for searching and will be redirecting searches in Live Search to non-Microsoft sites. Microsoft said it will the publishers digital copies of the 750,000 books and 80 million journal articles it has collected to the publishers.

Microsoft’s withdrawal from book scanning seems to me as a sign that the Redmond Giant has given up on this particular battle with Google. And according to the article the decision to abandon the book scanning project seems to have been affected by the botched deal between Microsoft and Yahoo.

Question is what happens to Open Content Alliance(?)

If I am not mistaken Microsoft was and is still is (?) part of the Open Content Alliance.