US Justice Department still sees legal problems in Google’s digital book settlement
By APThursday, February 4, 2010
DOJ still troubled by Google’s digital book deal
NEW YORK — The U.S. Justice Department still thinks a proposal to give Google the digital rights to millions of hard-to-find books threatens to stifle competition and undermine copyright laws.
Google revised its original agreement with U.S. authors and publishers three months ago in hopes of winning the Justice Department’s support.
The opinion filed Thursday in New York federal court is a significant setback in Google’s effort to be put in charge of a vast electronic library and store.
A diverse mix of Google rivals, consumer watchdogs, academic experts, state governments and even foreign governments have already urged U.S. District Judge Denny Chin to reject the agreement.
Chin has scheduled a Feb. 18 hearing to consider approving the class-action settlement.
