Amazon.com and 'Big Five' publishers accused of ebook price-fixing

Class action lawsuit filed in US claims the houses have colluded with the online giant to keep prices artificially highAmazon.com and the “Big Five” publishers – Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster – have been accused of colluding to fix ebook prices, in a class action filed by the law firm that successfully sued Apple and the Big Five on the same charge 10 years ago.The lawsuit, filed in district court in New York on Thursday by Seattle firm Hagens Berman, on behalf of consumers in several US states, names the retail giant as the sole defendant but labels the publishers “co-conspirators”. It alleges Amazon and the publishers use a clause known as “Most Favored Nations” (MFN) to keep ebook prices artificially high, by agreeing to price restraints that force consumers to pay more for ebooks purchased on retail platforms that are not Amazon.com. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-01-15 13:04:33 UTC ]

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From the Archive: June 8, 1992

David McCullough, the author of 12 bestselling books, died August 7 at age 89. PW caught up with McCullough in 1992 shortly after his sixth book, 'Truman,' was released by the only publisher he ever had, Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Canada’s Literary Press Group: Accessible Ebooks

Close to 600 titles will be part of the new, accessible 'Ebooks for Everyone' initiative from the Literary Press Group of Canada. The post Canada’s Literary Press Group: Accessible Ebooks appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-09 14:58:40 UTC ]
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DOJ v PRH: Don Weisberg, Government's Economist See Danger in PRH-S&S Merger

As the government's case against Penguin Random House's acquisition of Simon & Schuster winds down, Macmillan CEO Don Weisberg and government economist Nicholas Hill laid out reasons why they are concerned about the impact of the proposed merger. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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David McCullough, Pulitzer-winning historian, dies aged 89

The author of biographies and other works and narrator of documentaries, McCullough was ‘the voice of American history’David McCullough, the Pulitzer prize-winning author whose lovingly crafted narratives on subjects ranging from New York’s Brooklyn Bridge to American presidents John Adams and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-08 19:41:16 UTC ]
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Antitrust trial puts book publishing industry in the dock

The Justice Department’s legal effort to block the merger of book publishing giants Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster is more than just a showcase for the Biden administration’s tougher approach to corporate consolidation Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2022-08-06 14:26:56 UTC ]
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Sales, Profits Skyrocket at S&S in Q2

Second quarter sales jumped 34% over last year’s second quarter at Simon & Schuster, and operating income leapt 54%. The strong results followed a first quarter which CEO Jonathan Karp said "defied gravity." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Stephen King testifies against $2B Penguin merger

The deal between Penguin and Simon & Schuster would weaken competition and lower author pay, he said Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2022-08-02 19:08:55 UTC ]
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Are Ebooks on the Decline Again?

As sales continue to take a nosedive in the beginning of 2022, it raises a question on the state of ebooks: are they on the decline again? Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-28 10:31:00 UTC ]
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Stephen King, Andrew Solomon, and a bunch of agents are set to testify in the PRH antitrust trial.

The federal government’s civil suit to block the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House is chugging along, with the trial set to begin on August 1. Exhibits to the joint pretrial motion, filed July 15, included lists of witnesses for both sides. Witnesses for both sides... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-20 16:13:34 UTC ]
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At Simon & Schuster, Jonathan Karp Announces Dana Canedy’s Departure

The publisher of the Simon & Schuster imprint, Dana Canedy, is leaving to write her memoir's sequel, which S&S is to publish in 2024. The post At Simon & Schuster, Jonathan Karp Announces Dana Canedy’s Departure appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-07-19 21:52:50 UTC ]
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Dana Canedy to Step Down at Simon & Schuster

On July 27, exactly two years to the date since she took over S&S's flagship imprint, Dana Canedy will step down from her position as senior v-p and publisher. Her predecessor, S&S president and CEO Jonathan Karp, will lead the imprint "for the foreseeable future." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Macmillan Audio Releases Audiobook Version of Three Key Supreme Court Abortion Rulings

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling on abortion, Macmillan Audio is publishing an audiobook edition of three key cases. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Marcus Rashford Book Club to give away 50,000 books this summer

Initiative led by the footballer will distribute copies of his own children’s adventure book to young readers with little access to readingFootballer Marcus Rashford’s debut children’s book will be given to 50,000 children this summer as part of an initiative by his book club.The Marcus... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-07-05 13:14:24 UTC ]
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Macmillan Slowly Bringing Systems Back

In an update on the status of a "security incident" that forced Macmillan to take many of its computer systems offline, the company said it has made progress in restoring access, but said that while it is accepting orders electronically, it is “unable to process them at the time.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Launches Banned Books Promotion for Bookstores

In response to growing book censorship, Simon & Schuster has launched a “Read banned books!” promotion that provides information on challenged titles, in-store displays, and social media materials. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Macmillan Shutdown Spreads to U.K.

A cyber attack that forced the U.S. division of Macmillan to take its computer systems offline since Saturday and kept the company from taking orders has also affected the U.K. operation. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Shutdown Leaves Macmillan Unable to Handle Book Orders

The ongoing "security incident" with Macmillan's computer network will prevent the publisher from processing, receiving, placing, or shipping orders through at least June 28. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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YA Fantasy eBooks On Sale for $3-4 This Week

Here are some of the most popular YA fantasy novels you can grab now for under $5! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-06-08 14:20:51 UTC ]
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LGBTQ YA eBooks On Sale for $2-3 for Pride!

More than 20 popular LGBTQ YA ebooks are on sale for under $5 on Amazon right now. Grab these deals while they last! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-06-07 15:52:23 UTC ]
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Post Hill Press Starts New Imprint, Twin Flame

The imprint, which will publish nonfiction titles in the spirituality, relationships, and sexuality categories, is led by editorial director Elena Vega, who formerly worked as an editor for Macmillan and Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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