Archive | February, 2010
Press Release
Justice Says Revised Google Books Deal Still Problematic
CONTACT: Wire Reports
The Justice Department announced late Thursday that it still has problems with a proposed settlement between the publishing industry and Google over the firm’s plans for developing a global online library, CongressDaily reported. In a statement, the Open Book Alliance, which opposes the settlement,
applauded the Justice Department’s filing saying, it will "help to
preserve competition, promote innovation and protect the public
interest. The Department of Justice has made it crystal clear that the
proposal before the court is overreaching and cannot be approved." The
alliance members include Amazon.com, Microsoft and Yahoo, as well as
some library, writer and publishing groups. John Simpson with Consumer
Watchdog also praised the department in a statement for "standing firm
in opposing this private deal that unfairly benefits the narrow agenda
of one company" and predicted the court will reject it.
Press Release
Justice Dept Says Google Books Deal Troubled
CONTACT: Diane Bartz
5. February 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Changes that Google Inc and the Authors Guild made to an ambitious plan to create a massive online library were inadequate because they fail to address antitrust and copyright concerns, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. Critics of the deal have been a varied group that includes Yahoo
Inc, Amazon Inc, Microsoft Inc, the National Writers Union and Consumer
Watchdog.
Press Release
Feds Still Troubled By Google’s Digital Book Deal
CONTACT: Michael Liedtke
5. February 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — 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, despite revisions aimed at easing those concerns. Consumer Watchdog, one of the groups fighting the settlement, applauded
the Justice Department for taking a stand against a deal "that unfairly
benefits the narrow agenda of one company."
Press Release
DOJ: Thumbs Down Again to Google Book Search Settlement
CONTACT: Juan Carlos Perez
4. February 2010
In a big blow to Google’s efforts to build a massive digital-books marketplace and library, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has come out against the revised agreement to settle copyright lawsuits brought against Google by authors and publishers. Consumer Watchdog, a critic of the settlement, praised the DOJ’s
opinion and predicted the judge will not approve the proposal. "The
Department of Justice should be commended for standing firm in opposing
this private deal that unfairly benefits the narrow agenda of one
company," said John M. Simpson, a consumer advocate with Consumer
Watchdog, in a statement.
Press Release
Consumer Watchdog Praises DOJ for Opposing Google Books Settlement
CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310 392-0522 ext. 317 or cell 310 292-1902
4. February 2010
SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog praised the U.S. Department of
Justice today for opposing the amended Google Books Settlement. The DOJ
said that while there were improvements in the amended settlement,
problems with class certification, copyright and antitrust issues
remained.
Google, NSA Partnership Raises Privacy Hackles
4. February 2010
The revelation that Google Inc. is partnering with the National Security Agency to probe a widespread cyber attack has quickened the pulse of privacy advocates.
Continue reading...Google asking spy agency for help
4. February 2010
Google has apparently gone to the super secret National Security Agency seeking help in preventing cyber attacks.
Continue reading...Press Release
DOJ Not Pleased With Latest Google Book Agreement
CONTACT: Elinor Mills
4. February 2010
Although the amended settlement agreement for Google’s Book Search addressed some concerns the U.S. Justice Department had, it still could give the company anticompetitive advantages in the digital book marketplace, the agency said on Thursday. The nonprofit advocacy group Consumer Watchdog praised the Justice Department’s stance. "The settlement still abuses the class-action mechanism and purports to
enroll absent class members automatically into new business
‘opportunities,’ in violation of current copyright laws," Consumer
Watchdog reiterated from its friend-of-the-court brief opposing the
agreement as modified.
Two Congressmen ask Justice to scrutinize Google Books deal, government will comment on revised deal Thursday
3. February 2010
Two Texas Congressmen have asked the U.S. of Justice to ensure that the proposed Google Books Settlement not hurt minority publishers and small businesses. The department is scheduled to file its view of the amended settlement in federal court on Thursday.
Continue reading...Google’s 5 principles pay lip service to privacy
2. February 2010
Google decided to take note of International Data Privacy Day last week by publishing their five guiding privacy principles. Here are the bullet points and there is …
Continue reading...
5. February 2010