Tag Archive | "copyright infringement"
Justice Is Probing Google’s Book Deal
The Justice Department on Thursday said it had launched a formal antitrust investigation into the proposed settlement over the Google Inc. project to scan millions of books into a digital format. In recent months, a number of parties have objected to the settlement, including Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, the American Library Assn. and the Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization that seeks to digitize public domain books and make them freely available online. Many of the objections involve concerns that Google would create a monopoly on digital books.
Continue reading...DOJ Officially Opens Investigation Into Google Book Search
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday that it is investigating a settlement involving Google Book Search for possible antitrust violations, following months of speculation that the agency had its eye on the service. Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group, argues that the proposal gives Google special protections against lawsuits over the orphan works. Those special protections would discourage potential Google competitors from entering the digital book business unless they could negotiate a similar protection, the group argues. Consumer Watchdog has urged the DOJ to examine the settlement.
Continue reading...U. Chicago Law Prof Criticizes Settlement That Could Give Google Monopoly On ‘Orphaned’ Texts
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
CHICAGO, IL -- University of Chicago law professor Randal Picker raised concerns recently over a court settlement that will grant Google the exclusive right to publish orphaned texts –- texts which remain under copyright, but whose copyright holder can't be identified or found-a move he felt could give Google a powerful monopoly. A group of professors from Harvard Law School, and the Internet Archive, have each independently filed motions to intervene in the case on the grounds of antitrust violations. Several groups, including The Internet Archive and Consumer Watchdog, have also raised concerns about the issue to the U.S. Department of Justice, which so far has not displayed any intention to involve itself in the case.
Continue reading...Regulators Question Google’s Deal With Publishers — Online Book Project Raises Antitrust Concerns
Thursday, April 30, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Google, Others Ask For Delay In Book Search Settlement
Monday, April 27, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Opposition to Google Books Settlement Jells
Friday, April 17, 2009
With a May 5 deadline for filing objections to the Google books settlement looming, opposition to and criticism of the settlement continues to cement.
Continue reading...Google Book Settlement Faces Legal Assault
Friday, April 10, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Group: Consumers Not Considered In Google Book Search Settlement
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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.
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Friday, July 3, 2009
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