Google Books judge rejects delay

The seven year saga over Google’s decision to scan millions of library books without permission will plod forward after a federal judge refused to stay the case pending appeal.

In a short order, Judge Denny Chin rejected Google’s request to suspend the case while it goes before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Chin noted that a stay would delay the case “by a year or more” and told Google and the Authors Guild, which is representing writers in a class action, to stick to the current schedule. That schedule calls for them to file arguments ahead of a December court hearing. Chin’s latest ruling creates an unusual situation in which the books case is now before him and the appeals court at the same time. The situation is even more unusual because Judge Chin himself now sits on the appeals court (although he has of course recused himself from hearing the Google appeal).