OFT launches investigation into agency pricing

Written By: Charlotte Williams The Office of Fair Trading has announced an enquiry into the ebook agency model, following what it described as a "significant number of complaints". The OFT said the investigation is "into whether arrangements that certain publishers have put in place with some retailers for the sale of ebooks may breach competition rules". However, it added: "The investigation is at an early stage and it should not be assumed that the parties involved have breached competition law." read more Continue reading at 'The Bookseller'

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #agency pricing #charlotte williams #fair trading #significant number

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Apple denies price-fixing charges on ebooks

The company says it allows publishers to set their own prices. Several antitrust lawsuits have accused former chief Steve Jobs of inflating prices of new releases and bestsellers.Apple Inc., responding for the first time to antitrust charges levied against it and five major book publishers this... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #antitrust lawsuits #electronic books


Apple denies it conspired to raise ebook prices

Apple Inc. says the accusation that it conspired with major book publishers to raise the price of ebooks is untrue.Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr says that, contrary to allegations in lawsuits by the Justice Department and 15 states, Apple fostered innovation and competition by introducing its... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #apple denies #justice department #monopolistic grip #publishing industry #$100 million


Apple says ebook price fixing charges 'simply not true,' Macmillan also responds

Not that we were expecting Apple and Macmillan to simply fess up and say, "you're right, totally tried to circumvent the free market," but both companies have come out swinging pretty hard against the allegations of price fixing. Apple has rejected the charges, calling them "simply not true." A... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #breaking amazon #monopolistic grip #publishing industry #john sargent #court -- #daunting task


An E-Book Argument: Are Fixed Prices Needed to Preserve Publishing?

Alleged collusion aside, the publishing industry's agency pricing model may actually protect the long-term interests of everyone in the ebook value chain. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book argument #alleged collusion #publishing industry


The Real Bad Guy in the E-Book Price Fixing Case

This week, the Obama administration’s Justice Department struck a great legal blow against our open market for books, and indeed against open markets in America. Even though online retailer Amazon has captured more than 50 percent of many key book markets—like the one for ebooks—antitrust... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #obama administration #open market


Barnes & Noble Launches e-Reader Meant for Reading in Dark

Barnes & Noble wants you to take your e-reader to bed. The latest iteration of the Nook, revealed by the book retailer Thursday, is a black-and-white device with a softly glowing backlit screen. It is designed to solve a common problem that co ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #barnes noble #latest iteration


Apple: E-book price-fixing accusation 'simply not true'

Apple Inc.  is denying antitrust charges filed against it and five major book publishers this week that accuse the companies of a price-fixing scheme to inflate the prices paid for electronic books. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #electronic books


Amazon Might Slash e-Book Prices to $9.99

Morning Business Memo: Amazon is the big winner in the government’s decision to go after Apple and major publishers over alleged ebook price fixing. Amazon might decide to slash the price of many bestsellers from $14.99 to $9.99. The Justice Department and 15 states sued... Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #big winner #major publishers #justice department


Apple, ebook publishers accused of price fixing

Apple's Steve Jobs played a key role in a price-fixing plan with five ebook publishers, federal and state officials say in antitrust lawsuits.WASHINGTON — Former Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs was a key player in a conspiracy with five major book publishers to drive up the price of... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #price fixing #key role #ebook publishers #state officials #antitrust lawsuits #key player #digital books


Usborne to launch Germany venture

Usborne Publishing will be launching a foreign-language publishing operation in Germany this... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #usborne publishing


US sues Apple over ebook 'price fixing'

Apple and publishers Penguin and Macmillan have decided to fight US government charges that they conspired to fix the prices of ebooks, even as three other publishers agreed to a settlement aimed at lowering prices for consumers. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sues apple #lowering prices #price fixing #publishers agreed


Hely Hutchinson: Hachette UK agency deals 'continue'

  Hachette UK c.e.o. Tim Hely Hutchinson has assured authors that the publisher is... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #hely hutchinson #hachette uk


Some Publishers Quickly Settle E-book Price-Fixing Lawsuit

Three of the five book publishers sued Wednesday by the Department of Justice quickly agree to scrap their deal with Apple and claim no wrong-doing. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With the states suing over ebook price fixing, Apple needs to surrender

Attorneys General in 16 states filed suit against Apple and three publishing companies Wednesday, following a similar suit filed this morning by the US Justice Department. Unlike the federal suit, the states action also looks for monetary compensation in addition to the end of the collusive... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #attorneys general #justice department #federal suit #south dakota #west virginia #puerto rico


U.S. Sues Apple, Publishers Over E-Book Pricing

The U.S. filed an antitrust lawsuit Wednesday against Apple Inc. and five of the nation's largest publishers, alleging they conspired to limit competition for the pricing of ebooks. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sues apple #e-book pricing #largest publishers


US Sues Apple and Publishers Over e-Book Prices

The US accuses Apple and Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and Penguin of colluding over the prices of ebooks they sell. This lawsuit is over the firms' move to the agency model where publishers rather than sellers set price ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book prices #sues apple #agency model


DOJ Files E-book Price Fixing Lawsuit Against Apple

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five book publishers for alleged ebook price fixing the Wall Street Journal... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #antitrust lawsuit #book publishers


Hearst Magazines launches women's quarterly

Hearst Magazines UK has launched a quarterly magazine called Good Ideas, aimed at 35- to 50-year-old women. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple, publishers face U.S. antitrust lawsuit over ebook pricing

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department on Wednesday sued  Apple Inc. and five major book publishers for allegedly colluding to fix ebook prices. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers face #antitrust lawsuit #ebook pricing #washington -- #justice department #allegedly colluding


Justice Department formally charges Apple, big five publishers in ebook price fixing case (update)

The Justice Department has formally decided to sue Apple, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillian, Penguin and Simon & Schuster over alleged ebook price-rigging. Apple and Macmillian have already denied any wrongdoing, saying that the agreements were enhancing competition in an industry... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sell books #previously believed #favored nation #fascinating reading