N.Y. judge tentatively OKs Google copyright deal

[November 18, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge has tentatively approved a settlement of lawsuits between Google and book authors and publishers that may put millions of out-of-print texts online.

The settlement was announced by Google and the publishing industry in October. Final court approval is still needed.

Federal Judge John Sprizzo in Manhattan gave initial approval Friday. His order was put in the public record on Monday.

Sprizzo set a June hearing date for a final settlement and hearing to decide if the deal is fair, reasonable and adequate.

The settlement calls for Google to pay $125 million to settle two copyright lawsuits contesting its book scanning plans. Google would get 37 percent of future revenue and publishers and authors would share the rest.

[Associated Press; By LARRY NEUMEISTER]

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