Google Reports Progress in Digital Books Settlement Talks

Google reported progress in possible settlement of a lawsuit over the search-engine company’s digital reproduction of books, lawyers told the judge in the case. Daralyn Durie, a lawyer for Google, told federal Judge Denny Chin that the company has made “substantial progress” in negotiations with publishers.

Talks with representatives of authors are taking place among “principals” from both sides, she said. “The parties are still talking,” Judge Chin said in a hearing today in Manhattan federal court. “I'm hopeful, still hopeful.” Judge Chin set a schedule for the litigation which would result in the case being resolved no sooner than July 2012, if the parties don't settle.