Google opt-out deadline for writers and publishers: Tomorrow, Sept. 4

Comments:

• Mike Perry says:

  September 4, 2009 at 12:34 am

  If you’ve planned to opt out, don’t delay doing it. For most authors, it will only take a few minutes. You give your name and contact information along with a list of books you’ve written. It is that simple.

  But before you hit the opt-out button, be sure to print out a copy of the data you’ve entered. If you buy something online for $4.95, you’ll be given an order tracking number, a printout of your order and, within seconds, an email confirming your order.

  But enter something as legally serious as opting out of the Google settlement and you will be given nothing to confirm or document what you have done. It’s almost as if Google knows it will be botching many of the opt-outs and wants to cover its tracks. “You say you opted out of the agreement,” they will say, “but do you have anything to confirm that?” Make sure you have something to confirm what you did. You might even get someone to sign and date it for you.

  I played it extra careful, opting out online and sending a certified letter opting out to this address:

  Settlement Administrator
  c/o Rust Consulting, Inc.
  PO Box 9364
  Minneapolis, MN 55440-9364
  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  And wouldn’t you know, if you want to opt-into the settlement, Google provides convenient forms to print. But if you want to opt out, there’s no form i could find. You’ll have to make your own with contact information and the titles you insist that they not include in their scheme.