Inside Google

Press Release

Extension, Possible Review Challenge Google Settlement

CONTACT: Andrew Albanes

For the first time since its preliminary approval in November 2008,
the Google Book Search settlement is looking less like a done deal. On
April 28, New York federal judge Denny Chin granted a four-month
extension, delaying the initial May 5 deadline to opt out or object to
the Google settlement until September 4, with a fairness hearing now
set for October 7. The ruling leaves all other dates in place, at least
for now, but raises questions about the deal’s prospects for final
approval.

Libraries Ask Court To Monitor Google After Book Settlement Is Approved

Alex Pham

Google’s project to digitize books is garnering objections.

Another group, Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, also confirmed
discussions with Justice Department officials on the effects of the
settlement on competition.

Press Release

Google In Dispute Over Book Project

CONTACT: Elise Ackerman

The Department of Justice has opened an inquiry into the settlement,
according to three people who have spoken with investigators. Such
inquiries don’t necessarily turn into formal investigations, though
some advocates are pressing the government to get involved. "We’d like to have them intervene and delay the settlement until the
antitrust issues get fixed," said John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, a
nonprofit group that contacted the Justice Department about the
settlement a month ago.

Press Release

Google Stands By Book Search Deal

CONTACT: Maggie Shiels

Google has defended its online book deal amid reports it is being reviewed by the US justice department.

Consumer Watchdog told the BBC it was one of a
number of groups involved in calling on the Department of Justice to
act "We felt the deal set up an unfair monopolistic situation for Google,"
explained Consumer Watchdog advocate John M. Simpson. "We do need to have the world’s books digitized but I think there are
very big concerns if one internet giant is able to dominate the digital
market. We want a level playing field here," Mr. Simpson said.

Press Release

Regulators Question Google’s Deal With Publishers — Online Book Project Raises Antitrust Concerns

CONTACT: James Rowley and Brian Womack

U.S. antitrust enforcers are asking questions about Google’s settlement
with publishers over its book-scanning project, representatives for
Consumer Watchdog and the American Antitrust Institute said. Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer group, spent
about an hour on the phone with Justice Department lawyers this month
to discuss their concerns, John Simpson, a consumer advocate at the
group, said in an interview.

Press Release

DOJ Inquiry Over Book Deal Puts Google on Notice

CONTACT: Sam Gustin

Earlier this month, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Attorney General
Eric Holder arguing that the deal between Google and the Author’s Guild
raises antitrust concerns and hasn’t been adequately scrutinized with
the public’s interest in mind. Consumer Watchdog objected to two components of the deal, arguing they
create barriers to entry for potential Google competitors, thereby
giving Google an unfair advantage in the nascent marketplace for
digital books.

Google Lobs $880,000 At Health Record Lobby – What Ye Worry?

Cade Metz

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Why is Google lobbying the US Congress over the webification of the nation’s health records? It won’t say. But lobbying it is. Consumer Watchdog is convinced that Google is lobbying for exclusion
from the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA), which provides privacy protections for America’s personal
health records. As it stands, the laws that govern what doctors can do
with a patient’s medical records do not apply to the Google Chocolate
Factory. If you upload your health records to Google, you have to
assume the company will always do the right thing.

Press Release

Google Book Deal Targeted by Justice Department

CONTACT: Nicholas Kolakowski

Google has reportedly been questioned by the U.S. Justice Department over whether its plans to digitize the world’s books into an online database represents a potential antitrust violation. An advocate for Consumer Watchdog, John M. Simpson, wrote a letter to
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking for government intervention in
Google’s settlement with the Author’s Guild and the Association of
American Publishers, arguing that it should have been reviewed to see
if it met "the interests of consumers."

Press Release

US Justice Department Probes Google Settlement

CONTACT: Richard Waters

John M. Simpson, an advocate with Consumer Watchdog, a California consumer
group, said his organization had been contacted by justice department
lawyers to discuss orphaned rights after protesting about this aspect
of the Google book settlement early this month. Meanwhile, a second
person said that the anti-trust agency had also held talks with lawyers
for Google on the same issue in the last two weeks.

Press Release

U.S. Opens Inquiry Into Google Books Deal

CONTACT: Miguel Helft

The Justice Department has begun an inquiry into
the antitrust implications of Google’s settlement with authors and
publishers over its Google Book Search service, two people briefed on
the matter said Tuesday. Lawyers for the Justice Department have been in conversations in recent
weeks with various groups opposed to the settlement, including the
Internet Archive and Consumer Watchdog.