DOJ Opens Official Investigation Into Google
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Google, Book, Antitrust, Deparment, Justice | Themes: The Internet, Business
The Department of Justice has confirmed that it is investigating a deal made by search giant Google.
Last October, Google, the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers announced that the three had come to a $125 million agreement with regard to pre-scanned copyright protected books, and laid out prospective plans for future revenues. Google's $125 million would be used to cover legal fees as well as establish the Book Rights Registry, aimed at resolving existing claims by authors and publishers.
Over the last month or so there's been rumblings that the Department of Justice was looking into Google's Book Search settlement with the Authors Guild last October. Critics said the settlement would give Google an exclusive license to profit from millions of books and in April of this year, rumors did the rounds about a possible antitrust investigation.
The Department of Justice Thursday confirmed that it is conducting a formal antitrust investigation into a settlement between Google and the Authors Guild of America.
"At this preliminary stage, the United States has reached no conclusions as to the merit of those concerns or more broadly what impact this settlement may have on competition," Deputy Assistant Attorney General William Cavanaugh said in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin. "However, we have determined that the issues raised by the proposed settlement warrant further inquiry."
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just let knowledge roam free...
In the year 2009, any DOJ investigation into any company means that aforementioned company is behind on their campaign contribution payments... They don't dislike monopolies or the concentration of power into the hands of a few, they just dislike when they aren't in control of it...
In the year 2009, any DOJ investigation into any company means that aforementioned company is behind on their campaign contribution payments... They don't dislike monopolies or the concentration of power into the hands of a few, they just dislike when they aren't in control of it...
Yawn, get out of here nutcase, the aliens are coming for you anyway.
Aliens?
Who is the nutcase here?
I love the idea of knowledge available for the masses.
I realize Google would profit from the works of others substantually, however the idea of a global online free library compels me enough to ignore it.
I have had download books simply because I can't get them locally within a months time, but security is always questionable when such actions are taken. I love libraries, and I love knowledge, however a physical library can be expensive to maintain and is not always the best solution.
Apparently Google's tribute check to the messiah is late. Antitrust lawsuits are expensive to defend, and we know that antitrust actions have been used by prior administrations (cough...Clinton) to go after companies that refused to pay their tribute, or in Microsoft's case, stopped paying their tribute.
Apparently Google's tribute check to the messiah is late. Antitrust lawsuits are expensive to defend, and we know that antitrust actions have been used by prior administrations (cough...Clinton) to go after companies that refused to pay their tribute, or in Microsoft's case, stopped paying their tribute.
So Google is doing what the public library isn't doing. If they reached a deal then it's okay. The authors have a right to complain. Maybe Google cut them a better deal than Penguin.
kami3k: Apparently you've missed all of the rampant corruption to take over America since Reagan took office... It would take me a year to google up a comprehensive list of who's in power, and what scandals they are involved in, so I will leave that to you... There is no more profound form of stupidity than faith. Faith in our system, even if 80% of our politicians(that we are aware of), are involved in various scandals, is enough to get you admitted into just about any special-ed class...