Inside Google

Federal Report Shines Light On Google’s EMR Lobbying Effforts

Molly Merrill

According to first quarter federal reports, Google
participated in lobbying efforts aimed at allowing the sale of
electronic medical records in the economic stimulus legislation. This contradicts the Internet giant’s earlier response to Consumer
Watchdog, a California-based, non-profit consumer education and
advocacy organization, that their claims against Google were "100
percent false."

Press Release

Justice Department Reviews Google Book Deal

CONTACT: Alex Pham and David Sarno

The U.S. Justice Department is making antitrust inquiries into
Google Inc.’s settlement with authors and publishers over the Internet
giant’s project to scan millions of books and put them online. The Justice Department also contacted Consumer Watchdog after the Santa
Monica advocacy group sent it a letter expressing concerns about the
deal. "They talked to us with what I thought was great interest," John
Simpson of Consumer Watchdog said.

Press Release

Judge Issues Extension In Google Book Search Settlement

CONTACT: Daniel Terdiman

A federal judge has granted authors worldwide four more months to
decide whether to participate in a settlement involving Google’s online
Book Search service. "The four-month extension is a big victory for those who oppose the
Google Books settlement," said John Simpson, a consumer advocate with
Consumer Watchdog. "It’s a clear recognition by the judge that there
are problems with the proposed deal. The extension also gives the
Justice Department more time to consider the antitrust issues that we
and others have raised and discussed with them."

Press Release

Google, Others Ask For Delay In Book Search Settlement

CONTACT: Wendy Davis

With opponents to the ambitious Google Book Search settlement continuing to emerge, Google as well as authors and publishers have asked for a two-month delay in the search case. Earlier this month, advocacy group Consumer Watchdog also criticized
the settlement on the grounds that it would give Google "an effective
monopoly over digitized books" and asked the Department of Justice to
intervene.

Press Release

Resistance Grows As Google Deadline Nears

CONTACT: Andrew Albanese

Earlier this month, the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog called for the
Justice Department to delay the settlement. The group argued that no
one is representing the public interest in the agreement, a deal it
contends will "transform" publishing.

Press Release

Opposition to Google Books Settlement Jells

CONTACT: Miguel Helft

With a May 5 deadline for filing objections to the Google books settlement looming, opposition to and criticism of the settlement continues to cement.

Internet Archive Latest to Object to Google Settlement

Jim Milliot

The Internet Archive has sent a letter to
Judge Dennis Chin, the judge overseeing the Google/Authors Guild, AAP
case seeking permission to file a motion that would ask the court to
alter the proposed settlement to give other companies that have scanned
printed books the same copyright protection of orphan works that would
be granted to Google in the settlement. 
The same argument was made last week by the Consumer Watchdog group
when it asked the Justice Department to intervene in the settlement.

Press Release

Google Book Settlement Faces Legal Assault

CONTACT: Stephanie Condon

A proposed settlement in a copyright lawsuit involving Google’s book search has drawn applause, envy, and from a handful of critics, an attempt to derail the deal. While most groups concerned with Google’s singular access to orphan
works are considering filing briefs with the court before a June 11
hearing, at least one group, Consumer Watchdog, is asking the Justice
Department to intervene and plans a meeting on Monday with department
officials. "Google’s going to have an unfair advantage against any competitor
because they will have already settled this issue," said Consumer
Watchdog President Jamie Court.

Google Digital Book ‘Monopoly’ Feels Heat — Redmond Blamed

Cade Metz

Complaints over Google’s sweeping digital books settlement have reached a boiling point. And now, a familiar Google nemesis has called on the US Department of
Justice to scrutinize the Book Search pact. Today, the consumer
watchdog known only as Consumer Watchdog tossed a letter at US Attorney
General Eric Holder and other DoJ officials, asking them to delay the
settlement until some changes are made. Consumer Watchdog is the consumer watchdog that Google famously tried to snuff out after taking issue with its press release tactics.

Press Release

Group: Consumers Not Considered In Google Book Search Settlement

CONTACT: Wendy Davis

Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has joined the ranks of organizations
expressing concern about the proposed Google Book Search settlement. The group criticizes the settlement on the grounds that it would give
Google "an effective monopoly over digitized books" and is asking the
Department of Justice to intervene.