Friday, August 28, 2009

Amazon, Microsoft, and Yahoo to oppose Google Book settlement

According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, Amazon, Microsoft, and Yahoo are planning to join an alliance to oppose the Google Book Settlement. The alliance is being led by the Internet Archive and includes nonprofit groups, individuals, and library associations. Other groups planning to join the alliance include the Special Libraries Association, the New York Library Association, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. According to Peter Brantley, co-founder of Internet Archive, the intent of the alliance is to develop public statements and documents to identify antitrust implications as well as, determine if the agreement sufficiently protects the privacy of users. The alliance is pushing for revisions to the settlement and is not planning to issue a joint filing with the court. Individual members will decide whether or not to oppose the settlement in court.

The deadline to oppose or participate in the settlement is set for Friday, September 4, 2009 with the final hearing set for October 7, 2009.