Could the Google Books Case Go to The Supreme Court?

In Global Trade Talk by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka

Judge Danny Chin

Judge Denny Chin

Well, while I was at jury duty, my fellow publishing reporters in New York flooded the courtroom of Judge Denny Chin in Manhattan who was hearing arguments on the legality of Google Books’ plan to digitize all the world’s books. A total of 26 different speakers offered their take on the Settlement: Five spoke in favor and 21 were against, writes Andrew Albanese of Publishers Weekly.)

Following the day of argument, “U.S. attorney William Cavanaugh slammed the Google settlement, telling Judge Denny Chin that the class action vehicle was inappropriate, and that the settlement ‘turned copyright on its head,'” writes Albanese. Cavanaugh emphasized that Department of Justice has an “ongoing antitrust investigation” regarding the settlement, suggesting that if the judge does approve the the settlement, the DOJ might take it’s own action. For their part, Google’s advocates stressed that the Settlement offered unprecedented protection for the all those potentially impacted and settles the issue of their previous scanning.

At the end of the day, it seems unlikely that no matter what Judge Chin rules, the matter won’t be settled.

Could the Google Books Case end up in the Supreme Court? (We’re not alone in thinking that it might.)

About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.