Yahoo!, Amazon, MSFT Oppose Google Book Deal

The Los Angeles Times today reports that Microsoft, Yahoo and Amazon have signed a coalition that opposes the search giant's proposed settlement with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers.

Organized by the Internet Archive and Gary Reback, a Silicon Valley antitrust lawyer, the coalition has yet to be announced. However the LA Times cites Peter Brantley, director of the Internet Archive, in saying several library and journalism associations are already on board, including the New York Library Association, the Special Libraries Association and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

Last October, Google, the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers announced that the three had come to a $125 million agreement with regard to pre-scanned copyright protected books, and laid out prospective plans for future revenues. Google's $125 million would be used to cover legal fees as well as establish the Book Rights Registry, aimed at resolving existing claims by authors and publishers.

However, back in June, rumors started to do the rounds about a DOJ investigation and in early July, the Justice Department confirmed that it was conducting a formal investigation into the agreement. Three weeks later, the European Union announced that it was setting a September 7 date for a discussion on the controversial deal.

The Internet Archive along with those who have signed the coalition are expected to make a joint statement sometime next week.