Despite this broad chorus of opposition, Google has offered only cosmetic changes to its amended settlement. The arguments it now offers to defend the amended settlement are the same arguments that have been rejected by the Department of Justice – twice.  Despite the spin from Google’s attorneys, the amended settlement will still offer the search and online advertising giant exclusive access to books it has illegally scanned to the detriment of consumers, authors and competition.

Google’s request also fails to answer concerns from consumer advocacy groups like the Institute for Information Law & Policy who fear that the amended settlement, if approved, would, “set a dangerous precedent for future cases and undermine democratic political processes.”