Judge approves time extension for Google books settlement
updated 05:00 pm EDT, Thu September 15, 2011
Groups have until July to reach new deal
Manhattan federal court Judge Denny Chin once again approved a time extension for Google to work out a settlement in its dispute with groups representing authors and publishers. Both sides now have nine additional months to reach an agreement in the ongoing conflict, which has continued to develop over six years without a resolution.
Authors Guild lawyer Micael Boni expressed a positive outlook, claiming the organization "very much wants to work out a settlement." The Association of American Publishers released a similar statement, suggesting both sides have made "good progress" towards a resolution.
Both sides had arrived at a preliminary agreement earlier this year, however the settlement was rejected by the court. Google originally pushed for an opt out program, which required direct intervention from copyright owners if they did not want to participate in the scanning and distribution program. Judge Chin argued that such an approach potentially conflicts with antitrust and copyright laws.
The groups now have until July 2012 to form a new agreement that satisfies the court. [via Reuters]
