The US Justice Department says a proposal to give Google the digital rights to millions of hard-to-find books threatens to stifle competition, despite changes intended to answer criticism of the deal. 

Google revised its original agreement with US authors and publishers three months ago in hopes of winning the Justice Department's support.

The opinion filed Thursday in New York federal court is a significant setback in Google's effort to be put in charge of a vast electronic library.

A diverse mix of Google rivals, consumer watchdogs, academic experts, state governments and even foreign governments have already urged US District Judge Denny Chin to reject the agreement.

Chin has scheduled a February 18 hearing to consider the proposed class-action settlement.

(Source: China Daily)