First, if they can't find an author... they keep the money? Our country is headed downhill, none of this makes sense anymore.

I am a citizen and a fan of the open book alliance. I have been for some time. One company shouldn't even be allowed to scan a single page. The Library has no rights to do it either.

If I walk into a library and I'm told I can't photocopy a book that is copyrighted, what gave them the same right?

A government agency should be formed to do it and all businesses have equal access to publish by the means they can.

@Ridiculous, if you had read the article to the end, you would have seen that your question was answered regarding what will happen to unclaimed money -- it will be donated to charity.

Why should my tax money go to fund digitization of books via a government agency when there is a private company that is willing to spend its money to do the work?

As it happens, libraries DO have certain rights already under existing laws regarding the scanning/photocopying of entire works that the general public does not have. If the Google settlement is approved, then it will be the settlement agreement that will give Google certain rights to image copyrighted works because it is a class-action lawsuit against Google, with the class being all copyright holders who have not chosen to opt out of the class.