A formal objection to the Google Books Settlement was recently filed by a group of 15 authors and publishers and two organizations in India.

Earlier, Google's ambitious and controversial plan to scan as many books as possible throughout the world was opposed by panoply of international entities and now the Indian Reprographic Rights Organization and the Federation of Indian Publishers and these 15 individuals also join the league. Even when there is a possibility that the search and Web app giant's scheme will give rise to a gigantic online library, there is a possibility that it might breach on the rights of content creators and has created a lengthy international legal battle.

As per the allegation put by the coalition of Indian publishing entities, Google's proposed settlement allows for Google's scanning, redistributing and selling books online, thus it is a violation of copyright laws, both internationally and in India.

Those content creators, who don't want their work online, require opting out of the plan themselves. If in case, an author does not openly opt out, his or her silence is taken for implicit approval.

The US Department of Justice as well as the governments of Germany and France have, in past, brought Google's book-scanning project under their scrutiny. Presently, the case is being headed by Federal Judge Danny Chin. The case involves a class-action lawsuit and a settlement of more than $100 million for copyright holders whose works had been reproduced without their consent.

Chin, after receiving objections to the settlement from the Indian authors and publishers, has thought of holding a final hearing on Feb. 18, 2010 in order to decide whether the Google Books Settlement is fair, adequate and reasonable.