The Internet Archive had to remove over 500,000 books and titles from its digital library after the court sided with the publishers over claims of copyright violations.

In a blog post on last Saturday, the Internet Archive shared that the takedown came after a court injunction was issued limiting the platform's options on its digitized books.

Hachette v. Internet Archive Still Continues

The injunction is part of its ongoing lawsuit against four major US publishers and partnered publications with the Association of American Publishers for its digital book lending over supposed copyright and licensing violations.

Among the hundred thousand affected books "more than 1,300 banned and challenged books" are only accessible for free on public platforms like the Internet Archive.

All affected books are currently labeled "borrow unavailable," including titles its patrons have previously accessed or borrowed.

While people may not be able to lend the titles on its digital platforms anytime soon, the Internet Archive can still offer access to the books for patrons with printing disabilities.

The non-profit group assured to appeal the court's decision to restore access to the removed books, although no specific dates were given for the next hearing.

Also Read: Internet Archive Appeals in Open Library Lawsuit

Internet Archive Appeals to the Public to Help Restore Books

Amid takedowns, the Internet Archive has resorted to the public's support to help defend the platform to retain access to the disputed books.

In an open letter published on June 14, nearly 24,000 people have given their signatures urging the major publishers to "reconsider your stance" and "explore solutions" that would still support authors, publications, and the digital library.

The letter cited the digital library's significance to accessibility, educational impact, and its contributions towards cultural preservation.

So far, several notable figures have declared support towards for the Internet Archive's advocacy, including billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Related Article: Protect the Internet Archive: Importance of a Free Info Hub