The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that is has opened a formal investigation into the settlement between Google and book publishers over the digital publishing rights to certain books, citing antitrust concerns. Deputy Assistant Attorney General William Cavanaugh disclosed the investigation in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin, who is scheduled to review the settlement. Mr. Cavanaugh wrote that the Justice Department hasn't yet reached any conclusions on "what impact this settlement may have on competition."

More info: Los Angeles Times