Waiting Game Begins On Google Book Search Settlement

The dust has settled from last week’s Fairness Hearing on the proposed Google Book Search, and now all parties are playing a waiting game. Judge Denny Chin began the hearing by announcing — to no one’s surprise — that he wouldn’t be announcing a decision during or immediately after the hearing. According to the Wall Street Journal, Chin cited the “voluminous materials” submitted in the case and said he’ll issue a written opinion later. “There’s too much to digest,” Chin said.

In his coverage of the hearing, Gary Price notes that 21 of the 26 speakers during the hearing were against the settlement. In that ResourceShelf post, Gary also provides a rundown (with links) of many news stories about the hearing.

It seems that one of the key issues that Judge Chin questioned both sides about is the settlement’s plan to make authors opt-out of having their works scanned. Some attendees are speculating that Chin seemed in favor of the settlement, while others felt otherwise. Perhaps the most detailed recap of the arguments presented last week comes from The Laboratorium, which summarizes the comments of every speaker who argued in front of Judge Chin.