Press Release
Consumer Watchdog Says Copyright Issues For Congress, Not Closed-Door Deals
SANTA M0NICA, CA —Publisher and author associations sought today to
cancel a key hearing in the Google Books case to allow private
negotiations with Google over digitizing books online. Consumer
Watchdog warned that important issues affecting copyright law should
not be negotiated behind closed doors.
Press Release
SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog praised the U.S. Justice
Department for objecting to the proposed Google Books settlement in a
brief the department filed in U.S. District Court tonight. The nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer group had asked the Justice
Department to intervene in the case on antitrust grounds last April.
Justice announced it was investigating in July. Justice’s objections
tonight went beyond antitrust concerns.
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC — Any plan offered by Google meant to overcome
objections to the proposed Google Books settlement must include a
“binding agreement with the full force of law,” Consumer Watchdog told
the U.S. Justice Department today. Justice has until Friday to file
its position on the books settlement with the court.
Press Release
Testimony Says Deal Violates Law, Is Anti-Competitive And Raises Privacy Concerns
WASHINGTON, DC — The proposed Google Books settlement should be
rejected because it is anticompetitive, violates both U.S. and
international law and raises substantial threats to privacy, Consumer
Watchdog’s John M. Simpson told the House Judiciary Committee today.
Press Release
Brief Argues Books Settlement Violates Both U.S. And International Copyright Law, Is Anticompetitive
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer Watchdog today filed a brief urging a
federal court to reject the proposed Google Books settlement because it
is anticompetitive and violates both U.S. and international law.
Separately, the consumer group called a Books privacy policy Google
offered late last week inadequate.
Press Release
Santa Monica, CA — Genentech Board Chairman Arthur D. Levinson should
quit as a director of either Internet giant Google or Apple to avoid
antitrust violations, Consumer Watchdog said today, following the
resignation of Eric Schmidt from the Apple board. The call from the nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer group came after the
announcement that Google Chairman and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, who
held the same dual role, was stepping down from Apple’s board. The
Federal Trade Commission has been investigating for several months
whether Apple and Google had violated antitrust laws by sharing two
directors.
Press Release
Santa Monica CA — The proposed 10-year partnership on Internet search
and search advertising between Microsoft and Yahoo! must be closely
scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department
to ensure there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is
guaranteed, Consumer Watchdog said today.
Press Release
Consumer Watchdog Releases Satirical Annotated Version, Says Cyber-Spying Should Raise Lawmaker Alarms Over Internet Giant’s New ‘Net-based Operating System
Press Release
Santa Monica, CA — Google should be praised for agreeing to offer
improved security for users of its online services like Gmail, Consumer
Watchdog said today, but the non-partisan, non-profit consumer group
asked why the the company waited so long to act.
Press Release
Washington, DC — Two consumer groups today urged the White House not
to move forward with the pending appointment of Google’s top global
public policy official to the position of Deputy Chief Technology
Officer in the White House, saying it would violate the intent of
President Obama’s ethics rules meant to end the revolving door between
lobbyists and the executive branch.
