Google and U.S. publishers have settled a dispute over Google's book-scanning project. The Association of American Publishers and Google announced their settlement on Thursday to end a lawsuit filed by five publishers in October 2005.

The aggreement will provide access to publishers' in-copyright books and journals digitized by Google for its Google Library Project.

The settlement acknowledges the rights and interests of copyright-holders. US publishers can choose to make available or choose to remove their books and journals digitized by Google for its Library Project. Those deciding not to remove their works will have the option to receive a digital copy for their use.

Google and the publishers say the new settlement won't require court approval because it involves only parties to the litigation. Publishers will get to choose which books are included.

"We are pleased that this settlement addresses the issues that led to the litigation," said Tom Allen, president and CEO of the publishers group. "It shows that digital services can provide innovative means to discover content while still respecting the rights of copyright-holders."

Further terms of the agreement are confidential.

This settlement does not affect Google?s current litigation with the Authors Guild or otherwise address the underlying questions in that suit.