Tag Archive | "justice department"
Extension, Possible Review Challenge Google Settlement
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.
Continue reading...Libraries Ask Court To Monitor Google After Book Settlement Is Approved
Monday, May 4, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Google In Dispute Over Book Project
Friday, May 1, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Google Stands By Book Search Deal
Thursday, April 30, 2009
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.
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...DOJ Inquiry Over Book Deal Puts Google on Notice
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Authors & consumers uniting against Google book deal
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Google's overreaching in trying to tightly control scanned digital copies of world literature has stuck an alarm bell with more than just consumers and the Justice Department
Continue reading...Google Book Deal Targeted by Justice Department
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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."
Continue reading...US Justice Department Probes Google Settlement
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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.
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.
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Monday, May 4, 2009
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