Apple, ebook publishers look to settle EU antitrust dispute

Apple and four major ebook publishers have offered retailers such as Amazon.com the option to set their own prices for ebooks for the next two years in a bid to end an antitrust investigation in the European Union. The European Commission launched the investigation into allegations of cartel price-fixing by Harper Collins, Hachette Livre, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Macmillan and Apple last December. The publishers are accused of colluding with Apple to fix the price of ebooks, forcing up prices for consumers and attempting to squeeze rivals such as Amazon out of the market. The case hinges on so-called “agency pricing”, which allows more control by publishers over retail prices, in particular an unusual “most favored nation” (MFN) clause. Apple, Harper Collins, Hachette Livre, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have all offered to terminate existing agency agreements and refrain from adopting price MFN clauses for five years. Penguin has not offered any commitments and an investigation into its conduct is ongoing. In addition, retailers would be free to set the retail price of ebooks, offering whatever discounts or promotions they wish, for a two-year period, so long as the total value of discounts does not exceed the total annual amount of commission that the retailer receives from the publisher, reported the E.U.’s Official Journal on Wednesday. This could mean lower prices for consumers thanks to increased competition. However the Commission is asking... Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2012-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #increased competition #proposed remedies #interested parties #provide feedback

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Amazon moves closer to Brazil ebook launch

Amazon has hired Mauro Widman as Kindle "vendor manager" in Brazil, to prepare for a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The New York Times, The Daily and New Yorker Top Performing Titles on Apple’s Newsstand

In 2011, one phrase defined the magazine industry: digital editions. Whether publishers were deciding to take the leap into digitizing their publications, or deciding on what app to develop next, digital was top of mind for publishers of all kinds. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kindle Store for iPad Dodges Apple's 30 Percent Rule

Amazon's Kindle Store is now iPad optimized. The company on Tuesday introduced a new touch-friendly version of its ebook storefront for iPad that allows readers to purchase and read Kindle books whether it be in Safari with Kindle Cloud Reader or Kindle for iPad. Located at... Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US book sales hold up, despite Borders collapse and ebook growth

Print books sales in the US fell 9% in 2011, with strong growth in digital sales appearing to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Carlton releases Olympic ebooks

Carlton Books has today (11th January) released the first ebook editions of its Olympic... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chinese Writers Sue Apple for Allegedly Hosting Pirated E-books

A group of Chinese writers has filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company's App Store sells pirated versions of the authors' works. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IPC Media appoints Evans as publisher of Marie Claire

IPC Media magazine Marie Claire has appointed Toby Evans as publisher, from his position as associate publisher on woman's weekly title Look. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2012-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kobo ebook sales increase seven-fold in December

Daily Kobo ebook sales in the UK increased seven times in December as the company revealed one... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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B&N to shed publishing arm

American book chain Barnes & Noble is reportedly seeking bids for its publishing arm Sterling... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Leadership for Apple's iAd?

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[ AdWeek | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers look to digital as physical sales slump £100m in 2011

Strong ebook sales over the festive period compensated for the decline in physical sales,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble shares under pressure as company explores Nook ebook business options

Barnes & Noble shares under pressure as company explores Nook ebook business options Continue reading at MarketWatch.com

[ MarketWatch.com | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble Shops Publisher

Barnes & Noble Inc. has put its Sterling Publishing business up for sale, say people familiar with the situation, signaling a likely end to its decades-long involvement in the publishing of its own books. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meredith Acquires FamilyFun Magazine from Disney Publishing Worldwide

Meredith Corporation is acquiring the assets of Disney Publishing Worldwide’s FamilyFun. Beginning in March 2012, FamilyFun and its associated special interest publications, as well as Toyhopper and other magazine apps, will be published by Meredith. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette reports a 'blockbuster' Christmas for ebook sales

Hachette has reported a "blockbuster Christmas for ebooks", selling more than 100,000... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HC US sues over Open Road ebook

HarperCollins US is suing digital publisher Open Road for copyright infringement after it... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital Domain: For Libraries and Publishers, an E-Book Tug of War

E-books and audio books on the Web site of the New York Public Library. Publishers are waiting for an industrywide approach to e-lending to gel. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2011-12-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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