Google’s book deal has hit more snags, with objections being filed in New York’s District Court by DC Comics, home of the world’s favorite superheroes.

Superman (or at least his well-paid lawyer) has added to the growing list of objections, in true dramatic effect with a last moment entrance, to protect his colossal cash flow from the evil clutches of copyright infringement on a global scale.

And if you haven’t heard about the Google book deal, what rock have you been under? This deal is bigger than Pammy Anderson’s boob job. No, seriously. It is. And it would seem that the list of entities opposing it is quite something to behold. Just take a look:

• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Yahoo!
• Open Book Alliance
• Various privacy advocates
• French Government
• German Government
• National Writers Union
• National Coalition of Authors
• US Justice Department (which is checking for anti-trust)
• European Union anti-trust regulators (for the same reason as their US counterparts)
• New York Library Association
• American Society of Journalists and Authors
• Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

So by now you’ll be getting the idea. At stake is the ownership the world’s library – so it’s a big deal (so to speak) and, as it currently stands, Google want to reproduce literary works under an exclusive arrangement that it is striking with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

Critics say the deal gives Google the unimpeded ability to set prices for libraries and hands too much power over the world’s literary heritage to a commercial enterprise.

They also say it will allow Google alone to make money from millions of so-called orphan works, books for which there are no clear rights holders.

The German government has posted its objections, along with the French, stating the deal flouts digital copying laws, while researchers fear the huge literary database will give Google lucrative commercial opportunities (such as bombarding you with more ads) and the company could restrict open access for academics.

In response to privacy concerns Google last week agreed to draw up a new privacy policy covering its digital library and to restrict how it can use its database to target ads at readers.

You have to hand it to Google. It has both tenacity and broad shoulders. And it sure is taking on some high-powered enemies. Some of them even power through the sky with their funny red capes flapping in the wind.

Related Posts: How much power is too much power? and Google Bowing Under Book Deal Pressure.

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