CHIN, Circuit Judge.
Before the Court is plaintiffs' motion pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for final approval of the proposed settlement of this class action on the terms set forth in the Amended Settlement Agreement (the "ASA"). The question presented is whether the ASA is fair, adequate, and reasonable. I conclude that it is not.
While the digitization of books and the creation of a universal digital library would benefit many, the ASA would simply go too far. It would permit this class action— which was brought against defendant Google Inc. ("Google") to challenge its scanning of books and display of "snippets" for on-line searching—to implement a forward-looking business arrangement that would grant Google significant rights to exploit entire books, without permission of the copyright owners. Indeed, the ASA would give Google a significant advantage over competitors, rewarding it for engaging in wholesale copying of copyrighted works without permission, while releasing claims well beyond those presented in the case.
In 2004, Google announced that it had entered into agreements with several major research libraries to digitally copy books and other writings in their collections. Since then, Google has scanned more than 12 million books. It has delivered digital copies to the participating libraries, created an electronic database of books, and made text available for online searching. See generally Emily Anne Proskine, Google's Technicolor Dreamcoat: A Copyright Analysis of the Google Book Search Library Project, 21 Berkeley Tech. L.J. 213, 220-21 (2006) (describing project). Google users can search its "digital library" and view excerpts—"snippets"— from books in its digital collection.
The benefits of Google's book project are many. Books will become more accessible. Libraries, schools, researchers, and disadvantaged populations will gain access to far more books. Digitization will facilitate the conversion of books to Braille and audio formats, increasing access for individuals with disabilities. Authors and publishers will benefit as well, as new audiences will be generated and new sources of income created. Older books—particularly out-of-print books, many of which are falling apart buried in library stacks-will be preserved and given new life.
Millions of the books scanned by Google, however, were still under copyright, and Google did not obtain copyright permission to scan the books.
The parties engaged in document discovery and, in the fall of 2006, began settlement negotiations. On October 28, 2008, after extended discussions, the parties filed a proposed settlement agreement. The proposed settlement was preliminarily approved by Judge John E. Sprizzo by order entered November 17, 2008 (ECF No. 64). Notice of the proposed settlement triggered hundreds of objections. As a consequence, the parties began discussing possible modifications to the proposed settlement to address at least some of the concerns raised by objectors and others. On November 13, 2009, the parties executed the ASA and filed a motion for final approval of the ASA pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e) (ECF No. 768). I entered an order preliminarily approving the ASA on November 19, 2009 (ECF No. 772).
Notice of the ASA was disseminated. As was the case with the original proposed settlement, hundreds of class members objected to the ASA. A few wrote in its favor. The Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a statement of interest raising certain concerns (ECF No. 922). Amici curiae weighed in, both for and against the proposed settlement. The Court conducted a fairness hearing on February 18, 2010.
The ASA is a complex document. It is 166 pages long, not including attachments. Article I sets forth 162 definitions, including the capitalized terms discussed below. I will not describe the ASA in detail, but will summarize its principal provisions.
The Class consists of all persons (and their heirs, successors, and assigns) who, as of January 5, 2009, own a U.S. copyright interest in one or more Books or Inserts
Under the ASA, Google is authorized to (1) continue to digitize Books and Inserts, (2) sell subscriptions to an electronic Books database, (3) sell online access to individual Books, (4) sell advertising on pages from Books, and (5) make certain other prescribed uses. (ASA §§ 3.1, 4.1-4.8; see also ASA § 1.149). The rights granted to Google are non-exclusive; Rightsholders retain the right to authorize others, including competitors of Google, to use their Books in any way. (ASA §§ 2.4, 3.1(a)). Google will pay to Rightsholders 63% of all revenues received from these uses, and revenues will be distributed in accordance with a Plan of Allocation and Author-Publisher Procedures. (ASA §§ 2.1-2.4, 4.5, 5.4 & Attachs. A, C).
The ASA will establish a Book Rights Registry (the "Registry") that will maintain a database of Rightsholders, and the Registry will administer distributions of revenues. (ASA § 6.1(b)). Google will fund the establishment and initial operations of the Registry with a payment of $34.5 million (which will also cover the costs of notice to the Class). (ASA § 2.1(c)). The Registry will be managed by a Board consisting of an equal number of Author Sub-Class and Publisher Sub-Class representatives (at least four each).
Rightsholders can exclude their Books from some or all of the uses listed above, and they can remove their Books altogether from the database. At any time Rightsholders can ask Google not to digitize any Books not yet digitized, and Google will use "reasonable efforts" not to digitize any such Books. (ASA §§ 1.124, 3.5(a)(i)). A Rightsholder may also request removal from the Registry of a Book already digitized, and Google is obligated to remove the Book "as soon as reasonably practicable, but it any event no later than thirty (30) days." (ASA § 3.5(a)(i)).
As for Books and Inserts digitized before May 5, 2009, Google will pay $45 million into a Settlement Fund to make Cash Payments to Rightsholders—at least $60 per Principal Work, $15 per Entire Insert, and $5 per Partial Insert, for which at least one Rightsholder has registered a valid claim on or before the agreed-upon deadline. (ASA §§ 2.1(b), 13.4; see also Stip. & Order to Extend Cash Payment Deadline 1-2, Feb. 18, 2011, ECF No. 970). These are minimum amounts, and if more than $45 million becomes necessary to pay all eligible claims, Google will provide additional funds. If payment of all eligible claims requires less than $45 million, the Registry will distribute greater amounts up to a maximum of $300 per Principal Work, $75 per Entire Insert, and $25 per Partial Insert. (ASA § 5.1).
Going forward, the ASA provides for Google to split revenues with Rightsholders. For works covered by the ASA, Google will pay to the Registry, on behalf of Rightsholders, 70% of net revenues from sales and advertising; net revenues reflect a 10% deduction for Google's operating costs. (ASA §§ 1.89, 1.90, 4.5(a)(i)-(ii)). Revenue splits can be renegotiated by individual Rightsholders. (ASA § 4.5(a)(iii)).
The ASA obligates the Registry to use "commercially reasonable efforts" to locate Rightsholders. (ASA § 6.1(c)). The Registry will receive payments from Google on behalf of Rightsholders and will in turn distribute them to registered Rightsholders. (ASA § 6.1(d)). Funds unclaimed after five years may be used, in part, to cover the expense of locating owners of unclaimed works. (ASA § 6.3(a)(i)(2)). After ten years, unclaimed funds may be distributed to literary-based charities. (ASA § 6.3(a)(i)(3)).
The ASA distinguishes between in-print (Commercially Available) and out-of-print (not Commercially Available) Books. (ASA §§ 1.31, 3.2, 3.3). Google may not display in-print Books at all unless and until it receives prior express authorization from the Books' Rightsholders. The ASA does give Google the right to make Non-Display Uses of in-print Books. (ASA § 3.4). Google may display out-of-print Books without the prior express authorization of the Books' Rightsholders, but its right to do so ceases when and if the Rightsholder directs Google to stop.
Approximately 500 submissions were filed commenting on the ASA and the original proposed settlement. The vast majority objected to the ASA.
Certain objectors contend that class members were given inadequate notice of the original proposed settlement as well as of the ASA. For example, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc., and certain foreign publisher and authors associations object to the adequacy of notice.
Certain objectors, including some foreign authors, academic authors, Insert authors, and others object to the adequacy of representation, contending that their interests are at odds with the interests of the representative plaintiffs.
Certain objectors as well as the United States argue that the ASA will improperly use Rule 23 to shape a "forward-looking" business arrangement that would release claims not before the Court. They contend that the case is about the scanning of books and the display of "snippets," while the ASA will release claims regarding the display and sale of entire books.
Certain objectors, including two of Google's major competitors, Amazon.com, Inc. ("Amazon") and Microsoft Corp. ("Microsoft"), object to the ASA on the grounds it would violate existing copyright law. They contend, for example, that judicial approval of the ASA would infringe on Congress's constitutional authority over copyright law. They contend further that the provisions of the ASA pertaining to "orphan works" would result in the involuntary transfer of copyrights in violation of the Copyright Act, as copyrighted works would be licensed without the owners' consent. See 17 U.S.C. § 201(e).
Certain objectors oppose the ASA on antitrust grounds, arguing that (1) certain pricing mechanisms would constitute horizontal agreements that would violate the Sherman Act; (2) the ASA would effectively grant Google a monopoly over digital books, and, in particular, orphan books; and (3) such a monopoly would further entrench Google's dominant position in the online search business.
Certain objectors, including the Center for Democracy and Technology and the
Certain foreign authors and entities contend that the ASA, even with its narrowed coverage of non-U.S. works, would violate international law by, for example, requiring foreign rightsholders to determine whether they are covered and therefore must "opt out," and also by favoring rightsholders from certain nations.
The parties have submitted detailed responses to all of the objections.
Under Rule 23(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a settlement of a class action requires approval of the court. Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(e). The court may approve a settlement that is binding on the class only if it determines that the settlement is "fair, adequate, and reasonable, and not a product of collusion." Joel A. v. Giuliani, 218 F.3d 132, 138 (2d Cir.2000); see Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(e)(2). This analysis requires the court to consider both "the settlement's terms and the negotiating process leading to settlement." Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Visa U.S.A. Inc., 396 F.3d 96, 116 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 544 U.S. 1044, 125 S.Ct. 2277, 161 L.Ed.2d 1080 (2005). "A `presumption of fairness, adequacy, and reasonableness may attach to a class settlement reached in arm's-length negotiations between experienced, capable counsel after meaningful discovery.'" Id. (quoting Manual for Complex Litigation (Third) § 30.42 (1995)).
Rule 23(e) does not set forth the factors a court is to consider in determining whether an agreement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. In this Circuit, courts traditionally consider the following factors, commonly referred to as the Grinnell factors: (1) the complexity, expense, and likely duration of the litigation; (2) the reaction of the class to the settlement; (3) the stage of the proceedings and the amount of discovery completed; (4) the risks of establishing liability; (5) the risks of establishing damages; (6) the risks of maintaining a class action through trial; (7) the ability of defendants to withstand greater judgment; (8) the range of reasonableness of the settlement fund in light of the best possible recovery; and (9) the range of reasonableness of the settlement fund in light of the attendant risks of litigation. City of Detroit v. Grinnell Corp., 495 F.2d 448, 463 (2d Cir.1974) (internal citations omitted), abrogated on other grounds by Goldberger v. Integrated Res., Inc., 209 F.3d 43 (2d Cir.2000); see also Wal-Mart Stores, 396 F.3d at 117-19 (applying Grinnell factors in considering approval of settlement). The weight given to any particular factor varies based on the facts and circumstances of the case. 7B Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure: Civil § 1797.1, at 77 (3d ed. 2005).
Public policy, of course, favors settlement. Wal-Mart Stores, 396 F.3d at 116-17; accord Williams v. First Nat'l Bank, 216 U.S. 582, 595, 30 S.Ct. 441, 54 L.Ed. 625 (1910) ("Compromises of disputed claims are favored by the courts."); TBK Partners, Ltd. v. W. Union Corp., 675 F.2d 456, 461 (2d Cir.1982) (noting "the paramount policy of encouraging settlements"). Consequently, when evaluating a settlement agreement, the court is
In this case, the fairness and reasonableness of the ASA has been challenged on the basis that it would release claims not properly before the Court. The Second Circuit has observed that "[b]road class action settlements are common," and that consequently "[p]laintiffs in a class action may release claims that were or could have been pled in exchange for settlement relief." Wal-Mart Stores, 396 F.3d at 106. But the Second Circuit has recognized that there are limits. First, "class action releases may include claims not presented and even those which could not have been presented as long as the released conduct arises out of the `identical factual predicate' as the settled conduct." Id. at 107 (quoting TBK Partners, 675 F.2d at 460). Second, the released claims must be adequately represented prior to settlement, in the sense that "[c]laims arising from a shared set of facts will not be precluded where class plaintiffs have not adequately represented the interests of class members." Id. at 106-07, 110.
I consider the "settlement's terms" and the "negotiating process" in the context of discussing the Grinnell factors. As the Second Circuit did in Wal-Mart Stores, I combine certain of the factors and discuss them together. See 396 F.3d at 118 (combining fourth, fifth, and sixth factors), 119 (combining eighth and ninth factors). Of course, I consider also the objections to the ASA.
As a preliminary matter, I conclude that most of the Grinnell factors favor approval of the settlement. The ASA was the product of arm's length negotiations between experienced, capable counsel, with assistance from DOJ. Further litigation would be complex, expensive, and time-consuming. Although the parties have conducted only limited discovery, the case has been pending for some years. The legal and factual issues are complex, and there is a risk that if plaintiffs were to proceed to trial, they would be unable to establish liability or prove damages. As discussed further below, substantial questions exist as to whether the case could be
Only two of the Grinnell factors weigh against approval of the settlement: the reaction of the class and defendant's ability to withstand judgment. As for the latter, there is no real risk that a judgment following trial would render Google insolvent, and thus the avoidance of insolvency is not an issue. The former, however, is important. Not only are the objections great in number, some of the concerns are significant. Further, an extremely high number of class members—some 6800— opted out. See In re Gen. Motors Corp. Pick-Up Truck Fuel Tank Prods. Liab. Litig., 55 F.3d 768, 785, 812 (3d Cir.1995) (noting that "the number and vociferousness of the objectors" is a factor to consider in weighing reasonableness of proposed settlement). I turn to the objections now.
The objections to the adequacy of the class notice are rejected. I am satisfied that the class received adequate notice. More than 1.26 million individual notices in thirty-six languages were sent directly to copyright owners, potential class members, and publisher and author associations worldwide. (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 36-37, 54-60, ECF No. 955). Plaintiffs also established a website to provide information about the case, the original proposed settlement, and the ASA. Of course, the case has received enormous publicity, and it is hard to imagine that many class members were unaware of the lawsuit. (But see Objections of Wash. Legal Found. to ASA & Class Certification, ECF No. 901 (objecting to notice)).
The adequacy of representation inquiry considers whether "1) plaintiff's interests are antagonistic to the interest of other members of the class and 2) plaintiff's attorneys are qualified, experienced and able to conduct the litigation." Baffa v. Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec. Corp., 222 F.3d 52, 60 (2d Cir.2000). Here, representative plaintiffs are represented by counsel highly experienced in class action and copyright litigation. I am confident that they are qualified, experienced, and able to conduct the litigation.
As to the first prong of the analysis, however, as discussed below, I conclude that there is a substantial question as to the existence of antagonistic interests between named plaintiffs and certain members of the class. See Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Windsor, 521 U.S. 591, 595, 117 S.Ct. 2231, 138 L.Ed.2d 689 (1997) ("[T]he settling parties achieved a global compromise with no structural assurance of fair and adequate representation for the diverse groups and individuals affected."). While it is true, as plaintiffs argue, that "differences in views or characteristics between class members do not mean the Class has not been adequately represented" (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 24, ECF No. 955), the differences here are troubling.
The ASA can be divided into two distinct parts. The first is a settlement of past conduct and would release Google from liability for past copyright infringement. The second would transfer to Google certain rights in exchange for future and ongoing arrangements, including the sharing of future proceeds, and it would release Google (and others) from liability for certain future acts. (See, e.g., ASA
Although I am persuaded that the parties are seeking in good faith to use this class action to create an effective and beneficial marketplace for digital books, I am troubled in several respects.
First, the establishment of a mechanism for exploiting unclaimed books is a matter more suited for Congress than this Court. The ASA would create, for example, the Registry and the Fiduciary. Together, they would represent—purportedly on an independent basis—the interests of Rightsholders, including those who have not registered but are covered merely because they did not opt out.
The questions of who should be entrusted with guardianship over orphan books, under what terms, and with what safeguards are matters more appropriately decided by Congress than through an agreement among private, self-interested parties. Indeed, the Supreme Court has held that "it is generally for Congress, not the courts, to decide how best to pursue the Copyright Clause's objectives." Eldred v. Ashcroft, 537 U.S. 186, 212, 123 S.Ct. 769, 154 L.Ed.2d 683 (2003); accord Sony Corp. of Am. v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 464 U.S. 417, 429, 104 S.Ct. 774, 78 L.Ed.2d 574 (1984) ("[I]t is Congress that has been assigned the task of defining the scope of the limited monopoly that should be granted to authors or to inventors in order to give the public appropriate access to their work product.").
In fact, Congress has made "longstanding efforts" to enact legislation to address the issue of orphan works. (Objections of Microsoft to ASA & Certification of Class 4-5 & nn. 10-11, ECF No. 874 (quoting Statement of Marybeth Peters)). "Orphan Books" legislation was proposed in Congress in 2006 and 2008, but the proposed laws were not enacted. See Glorioso, supra n. 3, at 980 (reviewing proposed legislation).
As discussed below, the ASA would also raise international concerns, and foreign countries, authors, and publishers have asserted that the ASA would violate international law. For this reason as well, the matter is better left for Congress.
Second, the ASA would release claims well beyond those contemplated by the pleadings. This case was brought to challenge Google's use of "snippets," as plaintiffs alleged that Google's scanning of books and display of snippets for online searching constituted copyright infringement. Google defended by arguing that it was permitted by the fair use doctrine to make available small portions of such works in response to search requests. There was no allegation that Google was making full books available online, and the case was not about full access to copyrighted works. The case was about the use of an indexing and searching tool, not the sale of complete copyrighted works.
The parties argue that the pleadings are not limited to plaintiffs' claims with respect to the display of snippets, citing the Third Amended Complaint. (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 33-34, ECF No. 955 (quoting Third Am. Compl. ¶¶ 4-8, 60, ECF No. 782)). While it is true that the pleadings refer to broader conduct (including the creation of "digital copies" of books (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 4, ECF No. 782; see also Hr'g Tr. 158-59 ("When the publishers sued, they sued for the intial act of scanning our books without permission, cover to cover. We were not so concerned about what uses were made.") (Bruce P. Keller))), the copying and display of copyrighted material occurred in the context of "Google Book Search," which "is designed to allow users to search the text of books online. The digital archiving of the Books that are the subject of this lawsuit was undertaken by Google as part of Google Book Search." (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 41, ECF No. 782; see also id. ¶ 55 (describing Google's agreements with four university libraries and one public library "to `digitally scan books from their collections so that users worldwide can search them in Google'")).
Google did not scan the books to make them available for purchase, and, indeed, Google would have no colorable defense to a claim of infringement based on the unauthorized copying and selling or other exploitation of entire copyrighted books.
Applying Firefighters, I conclude that the released claims would not come within "the general scope of the case made by the pleadings." 478 U.S. at 525, 106 S.Ct. 3063.
Third, the class plaintiffs have not adequately represented the interests of at least certain class members. See Wal-Mart Stores, 396 F.3d at 106-07, 110. The academic author objectors, for example, note that their interests and values differ from those of the named plaintiffs: "Academic authors, almost by definition, are committed to maximizing access to knowledge. The [Authors] Guild and the [Association of American Publishers], by contrast, are institutionally committed to maximizing profits." (Samuelson Letter 3 (ECF No. 893)).
Plaintiffs argue that in "virtually every class action settlement, a percentage (often a high percentage) of class members does not file claims or otherwise participate but, nevertheless, their claims are released. From a Rule 23 perspective, there is no more an `orphan' problem here than in any other class action settlement in which less than 100% of the class participates." (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 3-4, ECF No. 955). I disagree. While it is true that in virtually every class action many class members are never heard from, the difference is that in other class actions class members are merely releasing "claims" for damages for purported past aggrievements. In contrast, here class members would be giving up certain property rights in their creative works, and they would be deemed—by their silence—to have granted to Google a license to future use of their copyrighted works.
As alluded to above, the Copyright Clause of the Constitution grants Congress the power "[t]o promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 8. The Supreme Court has recognized that courts should encroach only reluctantly on Congress's legislative prerogative to address copyright issues presented by technological developments: "Sound policy, as well as history, supports our consistent deference to Congress when major technological innovations alter the market for copyrighted materials." Sony, 464 U.S. at 431, 104 S.Ct. 774.
The ASA raises statutory concerns as well. Certain objectors contend that the ASA's opt-out provisions would grant Google the ability to expropriate the rights of copyright owners who have not agreed to transfer those rights. (See, e.g., Objection of Amazon to ASA 9, ECF No. 823). The argument may have merit. The Copyright Act provides:
17 U.S.C. § 201(e). Yet, the ASA proposes to expropriate rights of individuals involuntarily.
Plaintiffs argue that § 201(e) was enacted to prevent governmental suppression of copyrights and that it does not apply to private parties. (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 113, ECF No. 955 (citing, e.g., In re Peregrine Entm't, Ltd., 116 B.R. 194, 206 n. 16 (C.D.Cal.1990))). The statute, however, refers to "any governmental body or other
A copyright owner's right to exclude others from using his property is fundamental and beyond dispute. See Fox Film Corp. v. Doyal, 286 U.S. 123, 127, 52 S.Ct. 546, 76 L.Ed. 1010 (1932) ("The owner of the copyright, if he pleases, may refrain from vending or licensing and content himself with simply exercising the right to exclude others from using his property."). As counsel for Amazon argued: "[T]he law of the United States is a copyright owner may sit back, do nothing and enjoy his property rights untrammeled by others exploiting his works without permission." (Hr'g Tr. 46-47 (David Nimmer)). Under the ASA, however, if copyright owners sit back and do nothing, they lose their rights. (See id. at 47). Absent class members who fail to opt out will be deemed to have released their rights even as to future infringing conduct. "Copyright owners who are not aware that the [ASA] affects their interest unknowingly leave Google to decide how their books are used." Glorioso, supra n. 3, at 992.
Many objectors highlighted this concern in their submissions to the Court. An author from the United Kingdom states, very simply: "I do not want my books to be digitized." (Letter from Tony Peake to Settlement Administrator 1 (Dec. 24, 2009) (ECF No. 821)). A 79-year old nature writer and author of 23 books illustrated with photographs of animals in the wild worries that the loss of control over her works could result in their being used to "vilif[y] the wildlife I spent my life trying to help the public come to understand and protect." (Letter from Hope Ryden to Court 1 (Apr. 17, 2009) (ECF No. 84)). An author from Canada writes: "I am opting out because I believe in the integrity of copyright. I believe that only I, myself, should have the right to determine how my work can be used." (Letter from Dina E. Cox to Court 1 (Jan. 19, 2010) (ECF No. 783)). Finally, an author from Texas gives the example of her grandfather. He self-published a memoir, Dust and Snow, in 1988. He passed away in the 1990s, and the copyright to the book passed to his three daughters. The author observes:
(Letter from Margaret Jane Ross to Court 2 (Jan. 20, 2010) (ECF No. 787)).
While the named plaintiffs and Google would argue that these authors can simply opt out (see Hr'g Tr. 144 (Daralyn J. Durie)), the comments underscore certain points. First, many authors of unclaimed works undoubtedly share similar concerns. Second, it is incongruous with the purpose of the copyright laws to place the onus on copyright owners to come forward to protect their rights when Google copied their works without first seeking their permission.
The United States, Amazon, and Microsoft, among others, raise a number of antitrust concerns presented by the ASA.
The ASA would give Google a de facto monopoly over unclaimed works. Only Google has engaged in the copying of books en masse without copyright permission. (See DOJ SOI 21, ECF No. 922; Hr'g Tr. 43 (Thomas Rubin)). As the United States observed in its original statement of interest:
(DOJ Statement of Interest 24, Sept. 18, 2009, ECF No. 720). And as counsel for the Internet Archive noted, the ASA would give Google "a right, which no one else in the world would have, ... to digitize works with impunity, without any risk of statutory liability, for something like 150 years." (Hr'g Tr. 95 (Hadrian Katz)).
The ASA would arguably give Google control over the search market. (See, e.g., Suppl. Mem. of Open Book Alliance in Opp'n to ASA 14-19, ECF No. 840). The ASA would permit third parties to display snippets from books scanned by Google, but only if they "have entered into agreements
The Consumer Watchdog, Privacy Authors and Publishers, and others raise privacy concerns. The Consumer Watchdog argues that the ASA would give Google "the ability to collect nearly unlimited data about the activities of users of its Book Search and other programs, including users' search queries, the identity of books a particular user reads, how long that reader spends on each book, and even what particular pages were read." (Second Br. of Consumer Watchdog in Opp'n to ASA 11, ECF No. 841). These objectors contend that the ASA fails to provide adequate protections for users of Google Book Search. (Id. at 11-12; Privacy Authors & Publishers' Objection to Proposed Settlement 16, ECF No. 281). They contend that the ASA fails to follow established law that protects reader privacy by limiting the disclosure of reader information. (Privacy Authors & Publishers' Objection to Proposed Settlement 16-20, ECF No. 281 (citing case law and state statutes)).
The privacy concerns are real. Yet, I do not believe that they are a basis in themselves to reject the proposed settlement. The ASA provides that contact information provided by Class members to the Registry will not be disclosed to Google or the public if the Class member so requests. (ASA § 6.6(c)(iii), (d)). It also provides that Google shall maintain in confidence any Rightsholder's personally identifiable information received in connection
The original settlement included any book subject to a U.S. copyright interest as of the Notice Commencement Date. That definition would have included all books published after 1989 in any country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention because the Berne Convention guarantees that foreign authors be given the same rights and privileges for their works as domestic authors. As the United States signed onto the Berne Convention in 1988, and it became effective in 1989, foreign books are covered by U.S. copyright protection (regardless of formal registration) after the effective date.
The ASA narrowed the definition so that any non-"United States work," see 17 U.S.C. § 101, is covered only if the copyright was affirmatively registered in Washington, D.C. or if the Book was published in Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, on or before January 5, 2009 (ASA § 1.19). Plaintiffs also added "six non-U.S. based Representative Plaintiffs who fairly and adequately represent the interests of Class members whose Books and Inserts were published in the U.K., Canada or Australia." (Pls.' Suppl. Mem. 25, ECF No. 955).
Foreign rightsholders remain concerned, however, because many foreign books were registered in the United States to ensure coverage under U.S. law, especially those registered before 1989. (See, e.g., Germany Mem. 2-3, ECF No. 852; Suppl. Decl. of French Republic 2, ECF No. 853; Objections of Carl Hanser Verlag et al. 1-2, ECF No. 868 (publishing and author associations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and New Zealand); Letter from Literar Mechana to Court 1 (Jan. 18, 2010) (ECF No. 797)). VG Wort, a German "collecting society" representing authors and publishers of literary works and the fiduciary owner of some 380,000 German authors and 9000 German publishers, notes that many foreign copyright owners remain members of the class because they registered their works with the U.S. Copyright Office. (Letter from VG Wort to Court 3-4 (Jan. 21, 2010) (ECF No. 857)). Indeed, France and Germany, as well as many authors and publishers from countries such as Austria, Belgium, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom continue to object to the ASA, even with the revisions.
Many foreign objectors express concern as to whether the ASA would violate international law, including the Berne Convention and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Indian authors and publishers, for example, object that the ASA "continues to provide Google with sweeping rights to exploit works of Indian authors/publishers under copyright protection without their express permission/consent, a violation of international and Indian copyright laws." (Objections of Niyogi Books et al. 1, ECF No. 807). An association of Canadian university teachers asserts that the ASA would "put[] the United States in violation of international intellectual property law and specifically in violation of trade agreements among Canada, the United States, and other parties as those agreements relate to copyright." (Letter from Canadian Ass'n of Univ. Teachers to Court 2 (Jan. 28, 2010) (ECF No. 900)). The Japan P.E.N. Club, an organization consisting of
Google responds that "this case is about United States copyright interests. It's about uses of works in the United States." (Hr'g Tr. 157-58 (Daralyn J. Durie)). This argument, however, ignores the impact the ASA would have on foreign rightsholders. In any event, I need not decide whether the ASA would violate international law. In light of all the circumstances, it is significant that foreign authors, publishers, and, indeed, nations would raise the issue.
A number of foreign objectors also complain that it was difficult for foreign authors to determine whether they were covered by the ASA. (See, e.g., Germany Mem. 6-7, ECF No. 852; Letter from Centro Español de Derechos Reprográficos to Court 1 (Jan. 22, 2010) (ECF No. 827); Letter from Irish Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd. to Court 1 (Jan. 26, 2010) (ECF No. 881); Letter from Assucopie to Court 1 (Jan. 22, 2010) (ECF No. 882)).
In addition, certain foreign objectors emphasize that the problem of orphan books is a global one. As Germany notes: "Courts and class action settlements are not the proper province for creating a cutting edge copyright ... framework to bind future generations and impact global competition for the future of digital libraries." (Germany Mem. 11, ECF No. 852). Likewise, France argues:
(Suppl. Decl. of French Republic 2, ECF No. 853). The fact that other nations object to the ASA, contending that it would violate international principles and treaties,
In the end, I conclude that the ASA is not fair, adequate, and reasonable. As the United States and other objectors have noted, many of the concerns raised in the objections would be ameliorated if the ASA were converted from an "opt-out" settlement to an "opt-in" settlement. (See, e.g., DOJ SOI 23, ECF No. 922; Internet Archive Mem. 10, ECF No. 811). I urge the parties to consider revising the ASA accordingly.
The motion for final approval of the ASA is denied, without prejudice to renewal in the event the parties negotiate a revised settlement agreement. The motion for an award of attorneys' fees and costs is denied, without prejudice.
The Court will hold a status conference on April 25, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., in Courtroom 11A of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse.
SO ORDERED.
(Letter from Stuart Bernstein & Susan Bergholz to Court 3-4 (Jan. 26, 2010) (ECF No. 888)).
(Letter from Inst. for Info. Law & Policy to Court 5 (Jan. 28, 2010) (ECF No. 856)).
(Germany Mem. 8, ECF No. 852).
