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Microsoft, Amazon Unite Against Google Book Deal

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 21, 2009 12:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – Microsoft, Amazon, and Yahoo are ganging up against Google Books, trying to quash its settlement with publishers and authors, the Wall Street Journal reports. The settlement, which still needs court approval, would allow Google to offer works scanned off library shelves online for free, provided publishers get a cut of the ad revenue. Now its rival tech giants are joining with some library associations to try to block the deal on antitrust grounds.

The coalition also includes some top Silicon Valley lawyers, including one involved in the antitrust suit against Microsoft. The Justice Department is currently looking into the deal. Some authors, librarians, publishers, and privacy advocates have argued that the deal unfairly exempts Google from copyright concerns. But Google defends the deal, saying it "is injecting more competition into the digital books space, so it’s understandable why our competitors might fight” it.

A librarian helps a giant desktop machine digest a rare, centuries-old Bible for Google.
A librarian helps a giant desktop machine digest a rare, centuries-old Bible for Google.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
In this April 17, 2007, file photo, exhibitors work on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany.
In this April 17, 2007, file photo, exhibitors work on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany.   (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)
Visitors look at an information screen at the Google Book Search stand at the International Frankfurt Book Fair  'Frankfurter Buchmesse'  in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007.
Visitors look at an information screen at the Google Book Search stand at the International Frankfurt Book Fair 'Frankfurter Buchmesse' in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007.   (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
A librarian helps scan a rare, centuries-old Bible in Ann Arbor, Mich., March 21, 2008. Hundreds of librarians are helping Google create digital versions of all the books in the world.
A librarian helps scan a rare, centuries-old Bible in Ann Arbor, Mich., March 21, 2008. Hundreds of librarians are helping Google create digital versions of all the books in the world.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
hoggkm
Aug 21, 2009 9:33 AM CDT
Microsoft and amazon just hate the fact that google can make a deal that they couldnt
youngblood
Aug 21, 2009 6:28 AM CDT
I like having access to any book whenever I want...I hope Google Books beats down Microsoft and Amazon!

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