Microsoft has condemned Google’s legal settlement that would allow it digital distribution rights for out of print books that are still under copyright.
According to the Financial Times, the vendor said that the deal was “an unprecedented misuse of the judicial system,” which had circumvented a decision that should be made by the US Congress.
In a legal filing, Microsoft has argued that a settlement based on US copyright laws should not form a model for the global book industry.
“A class action settlement is the wrong mechanism,” said Microsoft’s filing. “This court is the wrong venue and monopolisation is the wrong means to carry out the worthy goal of digitising and increasing the accessibility of books.”
Microsoft’s complaints echo those made by France and Germany, who have likened the deal to a land grab, saying that it would give an American company unprecedented control over online access to European culture and learning.
If the deal goes through, Google will pay $125 million to book publishers and authors in return for allowing US internet users access to segments of out of print books, with revenue split between the three parties.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- The Pope loves Microsoft. Fact. May 25th 2012 at 4:13PM
- Developer fined £50,000 over fake Angry Birds app May 25th 2012 at 12:28PM
- Google introduces Knowledge Graph for more intelligent search May 17th 2012 at 10:55AM
- Google's multi-Nexus Android strategy May 16th 2012 at 12:56AM
- Windows 8 RT draws antitrust attention May 14th 2012 at 10:59PM
- Windows 8 Pro upgrade may cost $14.99 May 14th 2012 at 10:46PM
- Microsoft to charge for Windows 8 upgrades? May 13th 2012 at 11:01PM
- Mozilla, Google blast Windows RT browser restrictions May 11th 2012 at 3:47AM
- Java judge will not rule on Android "fair use" May 11th 2012 at 1:52AM
