Google Book Settlement: What's Going To Happen Next?

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Apr 22

Judge Denny Chin has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. This is of particular interest to those in the information community because Chin had been the judge associated with the critical litigation surrounding the Google Book Settlement. Chin had heard testimony on the amended agreement in February of this year as a U.S. District Court judge in New York but had not yet handed down a ruling on the case. It is not yet clear when that ruling will be made and Chin's confirmation may further delay a final decision on the controversial settlement.

Because Google Books has the potential to be such an important information resource, the information community is already considering the potential business model for this database. As it happens, Michael Cairns, former President of R.R. Bowker and blogger at Personanondata, has been assessing the options and he presents his conclusions today. You'll want to read his full findings there, but two particular findings of interest are:

--Libraries will see tremendous advantages - both immediate and over time - from the GBS, although concerns have been voiced (notably from Robert Darnton of Harvard).

--Google will add services and may open the platform for other application providers to enhance and broaden the user experience.