by Michael Capobianco

Things look increasingly grim for the Google Books Settlement. The US Department of Justice echoes many of the problems SFWA raised with our objection (and cites our objection), in addition it raises antitrust concerns and Rule 23 problems. Rule 23 concerns the conditions for creating a class action.

What would result if the parties and the judge followed the DOJ’s recommendations would not look much the current settlement, and would require opt-in, diligent search for orphans, Unclaimed Works Fiduciaries with real power.

Here’s the whole DOJ Statement of Interest as a .pdf

SFWA’s formal objection, as .pdf