Re:At a minimum, this should be open to all comers (Score 2, Interesting)

They limit Free Speech, impose monopolies, suppress free expression, and create unnecessary legal action.

How on earth does this limit "free speach" or "free expression"? In no way does it stop anyone going out and saying what they want. Furthermore, monopolies are generally awarded for innovation - something that Google has done here. No other project did anything about securing orphan works, and now that Google has their license they are all jumping on the band wagon like a pack of lions. Maybe, if archive.org or simillar went at it first, they would have the rights and this argument might not be happening at all. Finally, your suggestion that orphan works create legal action is absurd - it's the people who want the books who do that.