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The US Justice Department is "making inquiries" about potential antitrust issues arising from the proposed settlement with Google, Reuters has reported.
The wire cites two sources who have been contacted by the US Justice Department - one of whom claims to have had "multiple conversations" with the authorities - over whether the settlement could breach anti-competition laws in the States.
In particular, orphan works - where it is unclear who owns the rights to the title - could be affected by the settlement, which is scheduled for a final hearing on 7th October.
James Grimmelmann, who teaches at the New York Law School, added: "Essentially, it gives Google a free pass for infringement for selling all these books...Publishers [who are part of the settlement] would be happy to share the monopoly with Google."