Though copyright is the law of the land, the finding holds back technological change that would have made all printed books available on line for a fee ranging from nothing to a modest sum. "…[C]iting copyright, antitrust and other concerns, Judge Denny Chin said that the settlement went too far. He said it would have granted Google a "de facto monopoly" and the right to profit from books without the permission of copyright owners." Hilary Ware, managing counsel at Google, called the decision, "clearly disappointing," adding "The judge did expressly leave the door open for a revised settlement."
On a still more hopeful note, publishers' representatives indicated they would try to negotiate a revision of their agreement that would pass muster with the courts. Apparently, neither side will appeal the judge's decision.
