Revised Settlement Deadline Postponed; Question Remains The Same

We’ve now received word that Google and its partners have asked Judge Chin for another extension to the deadline for delivery of a revised settlement agreement. They have requested until Friday, November 13 to submit a new proposal to the Court, and their request has been granted.

Whether the Settlement is submitted today, later this week, or at some other point in the future, the question remains the same — will Google and its partners seriously address the numerous fundamental flaws in the settlement found by the DoJ and others? The Open Book Alliance eagerly awaits the answer to the question. Until then, just like all concerned parties, we can’t venture a guess, given the secrecy with which the discussions between the settlement participants have taken place.

Meanwhile, our position on the settlement has not changed — a revised proposal that does not meet or exceed certain requirements will threaten the rights of all, the livelihoods of many, and the rule of law. If “Settlement 2.0” repeats the same fundamental flaws, and continues to allow one company exclusive control over access to and distribution of the digital database of books, it should meet the same fate as the original settlement proposal.