E-book publishers side with Apple, ask DoJ to scrap new price-fixing rules

Apparently Apple isn't the only company thinking the US Department of Justice's recently imposed remedies against it were "draconian." US publishers HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin and others have also ganged up on the DOJ with a legal brief opposing the punitive restrictions. In it, they say the watchdog is "attempting to impose a specific business model on the publishing industry," despite assertions it wouldn't play that role. If you'll recall, Apple was recently found guilty of price-fixing following charges filed last year. Now, the Justice Department is trying to force Apple to end its current agreements with the publishers and let rival ebook retailers like Amazon link to their own online stores. Apple earlier condemned the decision, saying it was "wildly out of proportion to any... wrongdoing or potential harm." The publishers added that it effectively punishes them by prohibiting the so-called agency model, which lets them set their own prices for ebooks and other media. A similar affair was settled rather more amicably in Europe, meanwhile, when the same band of publishers agreed to allow other retailers to sell ebooks cheaper than Apple does, if they so choose. Evidently, they feel the DOJ overstepped its bounds in the US and seem intent to back Apple to the bitter end. Filed under: Apple Comments Source: AFP Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2013-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "E-book publishers side with Apple, ask DoJ to scrap new price-fixing rules"


Meet the designer behind the look of the 21st-century book

In an industry ruled by #BookTok trends, Rodrigo Corral has become the publishing industry’s go-to designer by creating an undefinable style. There’s one big thing about Rodrigo Corral that does not initially make sense: The book cover maestro does not have a signature style.  Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2025-04-09 10:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Publishing Industry Has a Serious Waste Problem, and It Needs to Stop Now

So many of us are asked about favorite lines from books. I have favorite phrases: for example, “ineluctable modality” garnered from reading Joyce’s Ulysses over 40 years ago. It seems to have relevance in regard to whatever process or system that catches my attention enabling me to think about... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-09 08:58:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Why publishers are pivoting to community as a new source of growth

Mark Zohar, CEO, Viafoura The publishing industry is at an inflection point. After one decade of over-reliance on platform-driven growth, declining social media referrals and AI-driven traffic shifts are forcing publishers to rethink their audience strategies. Community is the way forward. It’s... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2025-04-08 13:56:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this


‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’

Writers will gather at the Facebook owner’s King’s Cross office in opposition to its use of the LibGen database to train its AI modelsAuthors and other publishing industry professionals will stage a demonstration outside Meta’s London office today in protest of the organisation’s use of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-04-03 07:00:26 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Slovakia’s Publishers Surprised by a VAT Reduction on Books

Facing publishing industry backlash, Slovakia's government reversed its 23-percent book VAT hike, instead slashing it to 5 percent. The post Slovakia’s Publishers Surprised by a VAT Reduction on Books appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-03-11 19:42:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this


‘Something magical is happening’: sales boom for children’s comics creating young readers of the future

Publishers and analysts say popularity of genres like manga and superhero comics is a gateway into readingThe best route to learning to love words in print could well be pictures. This, at least, is the hope of the publishing industry this spring, as it welcomes news that sales of children’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-03-09 14:00:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this


S&S UK and International CEO Ian Chapman Stepping Down

After 25 years with Simon & Schuster, the company's UK and International publisher and CEO, Ian Chapman, is to step down in May. The post S&S UK and International CEO Ian Chapman Stepping Down appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-17 18:48:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this


What Are Book Blurbs, and How Much Do They Matter in Publishing?

An announcement from Simon & Schuster’s publisher left the literary community wondering whether blurbs, the little snippets of praise on a book jacket, are all they’re cracked up to be. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2025-02-04 19:45:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this


My advice to male writers struggling to get published? Toughen up – and embrace poverty | Van Badham

Don’t give in to moral panic, fellas! Here are some tips from my own bumpy literary journeyIf you really want to make a name for yourself, publish comment insisting you’ve been silenced.It happened again last week in a nationwide publication. Under a byline, accompanied by a headshot and the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-02-04 14:00:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Simon & Schuster imprint will no longer ask authors to obtain blurbs for their books

Publisher says expecting authors, agents and editors to secure blurbs can create ‘an incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem that often rewards connections over talent’When you buy a new book, you can usually expect to see praise from other authors emblazoned on its cover. A writer... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-01-31 17:27:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Why Simon & Schuster’s Flagship Imprint Won’t Require Blurbs Anymore

In a decision some might call “stunning” or a “tour-de-force,” new S&S publisher Sean Manning has decided to no longer require authors to obtain blurbs for their books. Here’s why. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Lit Hub Weekly: January 20 – 24, 2025

RESPONDING TO THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: Kim Kelly on the how-tos and DOs and DON’Ts of mutual aid • Madeline ffitch on direct action and survival work in the face of fascism • Josh Cook on what the publishing industry can do in the face of authoritarianism. | Lit Hub Politics Matthew... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2025-01-25 11:30:02 UTC ]
More news stories like this


With No New Contract, Amazon Drops Bloomsbury UK Titles from Its Stores

Unless a new contract is reached by midnight GMT, Amazon will no longer sell Bloomsbury UK's titles in its online stores in the U.K., Europe, and Australia. While Bloomsbury print book availability in Amazon’s U.S. store is unaffected by the action, Bloomsbury’s Kindle editions will not be... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


With the AI Revolution Underway, Copyright Law Must Evolve

The way our legal system approaches issues of intellectual property must change to meet the novel questions posed by new technology, argues publishing industry analyst Christopher Kenneally. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


S&S Launches Audio Imprint Simon Maverick, Helmed by Jason Pinter

Simon & Schuster has announced a new audio-first imprint, Simon Maverick, focused on self-published authors. Former Polis Books publisher Jason Pinter is the imprint’s VP and editorial director. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


8 Newsletters Demystifying the Publishing Industry 

The publishing industry can feel like an opaque, black box to aspiring authors, with countless gatekeepers—agents, editors, publicists, book buyers and more—shaping the process behind the scenes. Even established authors can find the sector confusing as they attempt to read the tea leaves behind... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-01-06 12:05:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Publishing M&A in 2024: An Active, but Not Seismic, Year for Deals

Though there were no billion-dollar deals along the lines of private equity firm KKR’s 2023 sale of RBmedia and purchase of Simon & Schuster, the year did produce a number of notable acquisitions that indicate a few developing trends. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-03 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this