Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Microsoft, Amazon Unite Against Google Book Deal

Share

(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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
youngblood
Aug 21, 09 1:28 PM CDT
I like having access to any book whenever I want...I hope Google Books beats down Microsoft and Amazon! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
hoggkm
Aug 21, 09 4:33 PM CDT
Microsoft and amazon just hate the fact that google can make a deal that they couldnt Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
Cegorach
Aug 22, 09 1:11 AM CDT
why innovate when you can litigate Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

251 Stories

Bing, News Corp Talks
Offer Hope for Media

Media could gain from brewing bidding war

15 hours, 1 minute ago
(Newser) - Microsoft is offering News Corp and other media companies money to yank their content from Google’s search engine and list it instead on Bing. The offer, likely prompted by a threat from Rupert Murdoch to remove content from Google, “is all about Microsoft hurting Google’s margins,”... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Google • Internet • Microsoft • Rupert Murdoch • search • News Corp • Bing

 Free Holiday 
 Airport WiFi 
 From Google, 
 Microsoft 

Fight for market share finds willing fodder in snow-delayed fliers

Nov 10, 09 2:03 PM CST
(Newser) - There’s a new public option in town: free wireless from Google for the holidays. The search giant has partnered to provide WiFi gratis in 47 airports nationwide from now until the middle of January; the generosity even extends to in-flight access on continental Virgin flights, PC World reports.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Google • Microsoft • wireless • airport • search engine • WiFi • holiday travel • Internet access • Bing • snow delay

Microsoft's
Bing Teams
With Twitter

It hopes to gain edge over Google in social networking

Oct 21, 09 4:54 PM CDT
(AP) - Microsoft has picked up a new weapon in its Internet search duel with Google—full access to Twitter's communications hotbed. The partnership announced today represents a coup for Microsoft as it tries to spice up its Internet search engine, Bing, in its long-running attempts to lure traffic from Google. A... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • Google • Microsoft • search engine • Twitter • Bing

251 Stories


Technology  •  Business  •  Media 
TwitterFollow @NewserTech on Twitter

 
Yahoo • Google • Microsoft • Google Book Search • Amazon • library

from our news partners

CinemaBlend.com