In November 2009, Google, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers submitted a revised version of the Google Book Settlement that was intended to resolve the U.S. Justice Department’s concerns that the settlement would violate copyright law and give Google an unfair advantage. Soon after, the judge presiding over the case granted preliminary approval of the amended settlement and gave groups until January 28, 2010 to file objections.
Since November, several groups have filed objections including the U.S. Department of Justice. In a statement on the U.S. Department of Justice's website, it says that despite the substantial progress reflected in the settlement there are still class certification, copyright, and antitrust issues. Postings on the Bits Blog and Wired Campus list several other groups that say that the revisions are not enough to prevent Google from having a monopoly over orphan works. Some of these groups include: Amazon; Microsoft; the Internet Archive; Open Book Alliance; Institute for Information Law and Policy at the New York Law School; and a group of 80 professors, led by Pamela Samuleson, a professor of law and information at the University of California at Berkley. In addition, an informative website called The Public Index, has a complete list of all the filings in support and opposition to the settlement.
The future for Google Book Search could be revealed within the coming weeks. The fairness hearing for the settlement is scheduled to take place on February 18, 2010.
