Tag Archive | "Google Books"
DOJ letter shows Google anti-trust probe is serious
The U.S. Justice Department is serious about probing the Google Books settlement for possible anti-trust violations. Consumer Watchdog was one of the first organizations to ask the department to investigate.
Continue reading...Google Says It Loves Competition
Thursday, June 11, 2009
With Justice Department scrutiny over the Google Books Settlement only the the leading edge of antitrust regulators’ attention to Google, the company has launched a dog-and-pony show dedicated to combating the impression that more control is needed. In a presentation (PDF) acquired by Consumer Watchdog, Google public affairs lead Adam Kovacevich argued that Google is anything but anti-competitive. Its success comes from “learning by doing,” the presentation says.
Continue reading...Google Polishes Competition Charm Offensive
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Google continued to lay the groundwork Wednesday for an antitrust defense in the event that the federal government decides to take a formal look at its core business. Inside a conference room in Google's San Francisco office, executives ran through essentially the same presentation leaked last month by the consumer activist group Consumer Watchdog, focusing most of their efforts on trying to paint a picture of Google as just one part of a large Internet ecosystem, as opposed to a dominant search giant.
Continue reading...Obama Urged To Halt Google Government Takeover – Stop The Revolving Door
Friday, June 5, 2009
Two consumer watchdogs - including the aptly-named Consumer Watchdog - have urged US President Barack Obama to avoid appointing Google's director of global public policy as the country's deputy chief technology officer.
Continue reading...Google’s Former Policy Exec Faces Objections To Appointment As Deputy CTO
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Two consumer groups object to Andrew McLaughlin's potential appointment, saying it would violate President Obama's ethics guidelines. Andrew McLaughlin is slated to become the new deputy CTO, under federal CTO Aneesh Chopra, according to a New York Times report citing two unnamed sources. Google has acknowledged McLaughlin's departure, but not his destination. The White House has not yet announced plans to appoint McLaughlin. Nonetheless, the Center for Digital Democracy and Consumer Watchdog on Wednesday asked President Obama in a letter not to complete the rumored pending appointment because doing so would violate the President's ethics guidelines.
Continue reading...Library Groups Voice Concerns About Google Books
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Google has said the settlement will benefit authors, publishers and readers, because it will result in expanded access to books. Nonetheless, the deal is drawing increasingly vocal critics. Among others, advocacy group Public Citizen opposes a portion of the settlement, as does Consumer Watchdog. Additionally, New York Law School intends to file a brief asking for antitrust oversight of the deal. Last week, it also came to light that the Justice Department was making inquiries about the settlement.
Continue reading...U.S. Opens Inquiry Into Google Books Deal
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Judge Issues Extension In Google Book Search Settlement
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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."
Continue reading...Google seeks delay in book settlement
Monday, April 27, 2009
Faced with mounting criticism of the proposed Google Books settlement, the Internet giant has asked the court to extend the time for authors, publishers...
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.
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Thursday, July 2, 2009
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