Google Book US Settlement Agreement information hearing, Brussels, 7.9.2009

Information hearing

The European Commission is seeking information on the effect of the Google Book US Settlement Agreement on the European publishing sector, European authors, European consumers and society at large.

The hearing will take place on 7 September 2009, in the Albert Borschette Centre, 36 rue Froissart, 1049 Brussels, from 10.00 to 17.30.

Participation is particularly welcome by the respondents to the European Commission's 2008 consultation on the Green Paper on copyright in the knowledge economy (COM(2008) 466/3).

Topics for discussion

The Commission is seeking stakeholders' views on the implications, consequences as well as benefits of the Google Book Settlement. In particular, the following issues should be addressed:

1. Scope of the settlement
2. The quantity and status of European works covered by the Settlement
3. The Book Rights Registry
4. The notion of "commercial availability"
5. Consumer issues

Practical arrangements

Registrations for the hearing should reach the following address by 24 August 2009: markt-d1@ec.europa.eu

The maximum number of participants is limited to 80. Therefore, registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received although priority will be given to those with a direct interest in the Settlement.

Confirmation of registration and details of the venue will be sent at least one week prior to the scheduled date. Upon registration, and in order to facilitate the organisation, each participant should therefore indicate the topic which they wish to address. On this basis, the Commission services will draw up a speaker's list for each topic. Interventions should be limited to not more than 10 minutes per speaker.