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The Justice Department has begun an inquiry into
the antitrust implications of Google’s settlement with authors and
publishers over its Google Book Search service, two people briefed on
the matter said Tuesday. Lawyers for the Justice Department have been in conversations in recent
weeks with various groups opposed to the settlement, including the
Internet Archive and Consumer Watchdog.

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The U.S. Justice Department is making antitrust inquiries into
Google Inc.’s settlement with authors and publishers over the Internet
giant’s project to scan millions of books and put them online. The Justice Department also contacted Consumer Watchdog after the Santa
Monica advocacy group sent it a letter expressing concerns about the
deal. "They talked to us with what I thought was great interest," John
Simpson of Consumer Watchdog said.

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A federal judge has granted authors worldwide four more months to
decide whether to participate in a settlement involving Google’s online
Book Search service. "The four-month extension is a big victory for those who oppose the
Google Books settlement," said John Simpson, a consumer advocate with
Consumer Watchdog. "It’s a clear recognition by the judge that there
are problems with the proposed deal. The extension also gives the
Justice Department more time to consider the antitrust issues that we
and others have raised and discussed with them."

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With opponents to the ambitious Google Book Search settlement continuing to emerge, Google as well as authors and publishers have asked for a two-month delay in the search case. Earlier this month, advocacy group Consumer Watchdog also criticized
the settlement on the grounds that it would give Google "an effective
monopoly over digitized books" and asked the Department of Justice to
intervene.

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A proposed settlement in a copyright lawsuit involving Google’s book search has drawn applause, envy, and from a handful of critics, an attempt to derail the deal. While most groups concerned with Google’s singular access to orphan
works are considering filing briefs with the court before a June 11
hearing, at least one group, Consumer Watchdog, is asking the Justice
Department to intervene and plans a meeting on Monday with department
officials. "Google’s going to have an unfair advantage against any competitor
because they will have already settled this issue," said Consumer
Watchdog President Jamie Court.

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