This is not an opt-out petition.
Some writers are concerned that signing our letter of protest against the Google Book Settlement will, in effect, opt them out of the Settlement.
Let us clarify:
Whether a copyright holder has stayed in or opted out is of absolutely no relevance to signing this petition. Opted in or opted out, any writer can sign this petition. The petition is most definitely not a group opt-out (which would not be allowed anyway).
The cover letter and petition themselves do not claim to be a procedure for opting out.
On a subtler note, some people may wish to stay in the settlement — in order to get whatever advantages it may provide if it is approved — while at the same time hoping that the judge rejects it.
People whose want to opt out to visit the National Writers Union anti-Google site for how-to instructions. The NWU site link is provided in the cover letter to the petition. Here it is again.
http://www.nwubook.org/NWU-GBS2-FAQ.html
We hope this addresses your concern.
Sarah Sheard
David Bolt
January 7th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
[...] Sarah Sheard and David Bolt stress that This is not an opt-out petition [...]