Google Books Deadlines Extended; DOJ Antitrust Investigation Begins

In the Google Books settlement, the authors' opt-out deadline and the deadline for objectors and amici to submit their views to the district court have been extended to September 4, 2009, according to an April 28 order issued by U.S. District Judge Denny Chin. The order also postpones the final fairness hearing respecting the proposed settlement agreement to October 7, 2009.  In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division has begun an investigation respecting the settlement terms, according to Miguel Helft's April 28 article in the New York Times. If the DOJ needs more time to conduct its investigation, further postponement of the final fairness hearing would not be a surprise. [Robert Richards]