Considering the backlash from publishers Google has received for its book search offering--despite the fact that it's publishers whom it benefits most--one wouldn't think Microsoft would touch book search with a ten-foot pole. But here we are two years after Google launched what was then called Google Print, and Microsoft is set to launch its own book search offering in beta today. Windows Live Books will initially be available as a separate search engine that can be accessed from the Windows Live Search home page, but once the service is out of beta Microsoft says it will integrate its book search database with its main web search index. Unlike Google's book search, Windows Live Books will initially include only public domain works, to be followed by books whose publishers have given Microsoft permission to scan, and all books scanned will have their full text available through the site.

[Via Techmeme; image via CNet]