14 DAY TRIAL // All the tension built up in the Google Books case over the years is not going to be dispelled as the judge presiding has delayed a ruling claiming that the matter is too complex and he wanted to hear the opinions and complaints of all the parties involved in the issue. As such, the settlement deal between Google and publishers is still in limbo as Judge Denny Chin is holding on making a decision.
"I'm going to say right off, I'm not going to rule today," the judge said, according to Cnet. "I'm going to listen to opinions carefully and I'm going to ask a few questions." Judge Chin has read over 500 submissions from various groups, organizations and individuals from around the world either for or against the proposed settlement under which Google would be able to scan, search and offer for sale millions of books that are currently covered by copyright but for which the rightful holder can't be determined, the so-called orphaned books.
Still, those against the current form of the settlement outnumbered the ones supporting it showing that, at least in the lobbying department, Google's competitors are clearly ahead. The judge says he will listen to all the opinions before ruling on the matter and will have a written decision at a later point.
The Google Books lawsuit has been five years in the making. The company was sued by publishers and authors groups back in 2004 over its scanning of in-copyright books. The parties agreed on a settlement soon enough but since then, they have been trying to get the court's approval. A number of groups had spoken against the settlement and when the US Department of Justice suggested that the deal shouldn't be approved, both parties involved voluntarily withdrew the settlement filling to amend it. A revised settlement was proposed last year with the judge set to rule on February 18.