Amazon's ebook distribution contracts could be illegal, says EU

Amazon.com’s ebook distribution deals are coming under close scrutiny from the European Commission, which has begun a formal antitrust investigation into the company’s contracts with publishers.The probe will focus on clauses in Amazon’s contracts that require publishers to tell the company about more favorable or similar terms and conditions they offer competitors, or ensure that Amazon is offered terms as least as good as the competition, the Commission said in a news release.Such clauses can make it more difficult for other ebook sellers to compete with Amazon by developing new and innovative products, the Commission said, adding that it will investigate if the clauses limit competition and reduce consumer choice. If that is the case, Amazon could violate European Union antitrust rules that prohibit the abuse of a dominant market position.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2015-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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