Google Books Settlement Delayed Once Again

Posted by Daniel Shain

Comments
0
Likes
0
Dislikes
0

Google's ambitious plan to digitize millions of books and make them available online has run into quite a few roadblocks since its original inception. Many, including the Department of Justice, agree that this could be an excellent way to bring hard to find literature to the masses. But many others (and some of the same people, including the DOJ) agree that the deal as currently constituted violates a truckload of copyright and antitrust laws. Can Google make the necessary changes to appease all its critics?

This is not the first time Google's project has been held up, and it's hard to believe it will be the last. A few days ago the Department of Justice ruled that:

"While it [the court] should not accept the class action settlement in The Authors Guild Inc. et al. v. Google Inc. as proposed due to concerns of the United States regarding class action, copyright and antitrust law, the parties should be encouraged to continue their productive discussions to address those concerns."

In other words, the court called them both out, but since both sides are willing to talk about it more it's not a problem - they just need to come up with something better. More recently, there was a motion to delay an October 7th hearing on the settlement, which was granted by Judge Denny Chin of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge Chin felt that "it made no sense to hold a hearing on the current settlement since the parties have indicated that they are negotiating significant changes to it."

Both Judge Chin and the DOJ agreed that Google's ambition to digitize millions of books - including a large volume of books which are currently out of print - and making them available to the public could be a great service to readers and researchers everywhere. It could even be immensely profitable to publishers (who would receive income for books they were no longer printing) and authors (who would also get a piece for their digitized books) as well as Google. However, the legality of the issue has yet to be resolved, in particular relating to antitrust and copyright law. It would appear Google has been working at this for so long that there is no way they can give up now, and all agree the spirit of the agreement is in the public interest. But while both parties are willing to resume discussion, it remains to be seen if all the kinks can be worked out in the foreseeable future.

Image via epic.org

Most Popular Laptops at Pricegrabber.com

Add your Comment

Verification Code
Verify (type this text in the box below the image)

Newsletter Sign-Up

Most Popular Laptops & Gear

  • 1. Pavilion Dv6-2150us Notebook

    Pavilion Dv6-2150us Notebook

  • 2. Inspiron Mini 10v Netbook - Customizable

    Inspiron Mini 10v Netbook - Cu

  • 3. MacBook Notebook

    MacBook Notebook

  • 1. EOS Rebel T1i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/...

    EOS Rebel T1i  Black SLR Digit

  • 2. D90 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit

    D90 Black SLR Digital Camera K

  • 3. D5000 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm Lens

    D5000 Black SLR Digital Camera

  • 1. iPod Touch 8GB Black MP3 Player

    iPod Touch 8GB Black MP3 Playe

  • 2. iPod Touch 64GB Black MP3 Player

    iPod Touch 64GB Black MP3 Play

  • 3. iPod Touch 32GB Black MP3 Player

    iPod Touch 32GB Black MP3 Play

  • 1. Windows 7 Professional

    Windows 7 Professional

  • 2. UN55B8000 55" LED TV

    UN55B8000 55" LED TV

  • 3. 42LH30 42" LCD TV

    42LH30 42" LCD TV

Powered by
PriceGrabber.com

Latest Updates

  • ASUS Eee PC 1000HE

    The Eee PC has a slightly faster Atom processor and a faster FSB compared to the previous models. While this is not enough for anyone to upgrade, it could certainly attract first-time netbook buyers. Read More

  • Dell Vostro A860

    When price and performance must share in compromise, few laptops on the market readily answer the call of duty. When it comes to getting high quality at an affordable price, the Dell Vostro A860... Read More

  • Dell Mini 9

    By now Dell has a full range of netbooks in sizes 9", 10", and oddly a 12" model, of which we’re looking at the smallest 9-incher here. Read More

More Reviews

More Top Lists

  • Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2009

    Yet again, Apple's professional geeks will offer up sessions and hands-on code probing and testing at Moscone West in San Francisco. The dates for 2009 are June 8-12. Read More

  • E3 Expo

    The E3 Expo - also known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo - is the one trade show to visit to get the latest news from the computer and video games industry. Read More

  • CeBIT - Hannover 3-8 March

    Unlike CES, CeBIT is open to the public, so there's no need to be a press or industry affiliate to have a look at this massive trade show, which is the largest in the world. Read More

  • International CES 2009

    Find out all you need to know about the 2009 International CES. It features 2,700 exhibitors, including companies who manufacture products or provide services for the audio, digital imaging, home... Read More

  • Mac World Conference

    Make sure to make a note about the Macworld Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, January 5-9. If you're a Mac user and wish to meet equivalent people in the industry this is the place for you. Read More

More Events

More Apple

More Linux

More Microsoft

Editor's Choice

  • Weird, Extraordinary and Record-Breaking Laptops

    Here are the laptops that break one record or another, be it oldest, ugliest, cheapest or just very out of the ordinary. Read More

  • Top 10 Technologies of 2008

    Laptopical's T.J. Aaron summarizes the breakthroughs in technology of 2008. As we are nearing the end of 2008 - find out what made his Top 10 of the most successful and talked about technologies of... Read More

  • Top 10 Netbooks

    The netbook world has gotten increasingly crowded, and until the massive popularity of the form factor wanes this trend will only increase. Beyond Asus and Acer, major corporations like Dell, HP... Read More

Latest Laptopical.com tweets