Tag Archive | "Google Books"
Consumer Watchdog Backs Digital Libraries, Opposes Google Books Settlement Deal
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.
Continue reading...Official: Book Settlement Makes ‘Mockery’ Of Copyright Law
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Google's proposed book settlement with book authors and publishers, allowing the company to digitize and sell millions of books, makes a "mockery" of copyright protections in the U.S. Constitution, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office said Thursday. The settlement would give Google an "unlawful and inappropriate" monopoly and strips away the rights of copyright holders worldwide, added John Simpson, a consumer advocate with Consumer Watchdog. "The deal simply furthers the relatively narrow agenda of Google, the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers," he said.
Continue reading...Congress To Weigh Google Books Settlement
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Others witnesses are likely to cast a more skeptical eye on the agreement, including John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit that has opposed the agreement; Randall Picker, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School who has raised antitrust concerns; and Marybeth Peters, the head of the United States Copyright Office, who has also raised questions about the deal.
Continue reading...As Deadline Passes, NWU, Consumer Watchdog Join Google Books Objectors
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The National Writers Union and Consumer Watchdog were among those to file briefs urging rejection as the Google Book Search Settlement deadline officially passed this morning. Although the final lineup of objectors won’t be known until all the last-minute briefs have been processed by the court, the groups join DC Comics, The American Society of Journalists and Authors, a coalition of some 58 authors and the Open Book Alliance (which includes Google competitors Microsoft and Amazon.com) in urging the court to reject the proposed settlement.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Urges Court To Reject Google Books Deal, Calls New Privacy Policy Inadequate
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Tech Giants Unite Against Google
Friday, August 21, 2009
Three technology heavyweights are joining a coalition to fight Google's attempt to create what could be the world's largest virtual library. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, the ACLU of Northern California and the Consumer Watchdog advocacy group wrote to Google to ask the company to "assure Americans that Google will maintain the security and freedom that library patrons have long had: to read and learn about anything... without worrying that someone is looking over their shoulder or could retrace their steps".
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Calls On Genetech Exec To Quit Either Google Or Apple Board
Monday, August 3, 2009
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.
Continue reading...Microsoft-Yahoo! Pact Hit With Anti-Trust Question
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Three-Into-Two Doesn't Wash Consumer Watchdog noted the competitive search and advertising landscape will deteriorate - not improve - if the result is two enterprises that exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights. John Simpson, an advocate with the group, said the FTC and DoJ must insist users retain control of their data, how it's used, and where its stored. "Users must have control of their data - whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can - and must - insist on this," he said in a statement.
Continue reading...Warning issued on Google Books privacy threat
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Much of the focus on the proposed Google Books settlement has been on antitrust concerns....
Continue reading...Heat is on Google, so it ups lobbying spending 30%
Thursday, July 23, 2009
What do you do if you're a gargantuan Internet company that's come under increased scrutiny, despite your "Don't-be-evil" mantra? Send in the...
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Thursday, September 10, 2009
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