Google Class Action Settlement

Don't know how many Australians or people of other nationalities caught these display ads peppering their metropolitan newspapers (we spotted it in at least two locally, plus one in the Times magazine!) but all authors, publishers or holders of copyright material should be aware of the upcoming class action settlement regarding Google's scanning and use of books and other writings.

The ad in question was directed to "Persons Outside the United States" and says the following:

This settlement may affect you because it covers U.S. copyright interests in books published outside the United States. If you hold such an interest in a book or other material in a book, this settlement could bind you unless you timely opt out...

Authors and publishers filed a class action lawsuit, claiming Google violated the copyrights of authors, publishers and other copyright holders ("Rightsholders") by scanning in-copyright Books and Inserts, and displaying excerpts, without permission. Google denies the claims. The parties have agreed to a settlement. 

The ad also covers: What Does the Settlement Provides?, Who is Included?, What Material is Covered? (ie. in-copyright written works such as novels, textbooks, dissertations and other writings that were published or distributed in hard copy format on or before 5 January 2009) and What Should I Do? The closing date for objections or commentary on the settlement is 5 May 2009.

For complete information, including the Full Notice visit: http://www.googlebooksettlement.com. You can also call: 1 800 669 201 or write to: Google Book Search Settlement Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting, PO Box 9364, Minneapolis, MN 55440-9364 USA.