Substantial feature article on the current state of play. If you’re just tuning in now, this article is a good place to start. It may just reflect the news cycle, which was dominated this past week by objectors unveiling their filings, but the general tone is not particularly optimistic on the settlement:
On February 18, the Google Settlement is scheduled to have its long-awaited final fairness hearing in a Manhattan courtroom, although, court-watchers agree, it is unlikely that this next chapter, will be the last. Twice postponed in 2009, the hearing in Judge Denny Chin’s Manhattan courtroom will come after months of legal drama, and a September swoon New York Mets fans might appreciate: thought to be a lock in the spring, by mid-September, 2009, the deal was off the table, amid protests from foreign governments, authors, harsh criticism from U.S. Register of Copyrights Marybeth Peters, and a Department of Justice brief that urged the deal’s rejection.
As the January 28 deadline to object or to opt out passed last week, it’s now clear how steep a climb the amended Google Settlement faces. Opposition has swelled, and if there was any question before, there is little question now: the deal is in jeopardy.
UPDATE: Added the actual link, which I somehow neglected to post the first time around.