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DOJ Turns Up the Heat On Google's Book Deal

Posted by samzenpus on from the let's-take-a-good-look dept.

narramissic writes "It appears that after its initial review of a deal that would settle a lawsuit publishers and authors filed against Google over the latter's book search engine, the DOJ is leaning toward challenging the proposed settlement. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported late Tuesday that the DOJ is now sending civil investigative demands (CIDs) to organizations involved in the deals, a more formal approach than its initial information-gathering efforts. But Authors Guild Executive Director Paul Aiken said the fact that the DOJ is reviewing the proposed settlement isn't surprising, considering Google is involved: 'Any big deal that involves Google is going to get a look from the Justice Department.'"

2 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Google is NOT a monopoly by Disstress · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The idea of google as a monopoly is silly. You still have ask, bing, yahoo, and even altavista is still around. There is not one product that google provides that is monopolistic in nature. Being a leader in your field does not mean that you are a monopoly. Look back at Ma Bell's past, that was a monopoly, people had no choice. People have a choice not to use google and are by no means forced to do so out of lack of options or availability.

  2. Only reason everyone can't do this is lack of cash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    > Google would be released from the legal obligation to seek permission of copyright holders first, whether the holders are members of the authors guild or not. As you can probably imagine, there's no way in hell the authors guild has the legal capacity to grant that permission for all authors (including foreign authors).

    Well, the way these settlements work, you can either opt yourself out of it (and forbid Google to do this, or come to your own arrangement with them) or sit back and let it happen.

    If you sit back and do nothing, I have no problem with them copying your books. Everyone has the same right (though probably nowhere near enough money) to come to settlement terms with anyone who wants to settle.

    But, honestly, were it up to me, I wish that everyone could copy all these books. Then again, most people aren't as against this copyright nonsense as I am.