States reach $69 million settlement with three publishers in ebook price fixing case

When the US Department of Justice sued Apple and five major book publishers over alleged ebook price rigging, it immediately became clear that a few of these companies would do just about anything to avoid trial. That same day, three of the publishers -- HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette -- elected to settle with the DoJ. Now, those same three publishers have reached an agreement in 49 states (all but Minnesota), wherein consumers will receive a combined $69 million in compensation. Specifically, the payout applies to people who bought agency-priced ebooks between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012. Interestingly, the payout includes folks who bought ebooks from Macmillan and Penguin, even though those two publishers aren't settling. As for making sure people get paid, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Sony, Apple and Kobo have agreed to identify and contact affected customers. According to ABC News, most of these retailers will give customers the option of receiving a check or a credit toward future purchases. Sony, meanwhile, will automatically issue checks, while Google will direct customers to an online submission form where they can file a claim. Whatever the method, payments are expected to begin 30 days after the settlement is approved. The DoJ settlement, which is separate from the agreement with the 49 states, is still awaiting clearance.States reach $69 million settlement with three publishers in ebook price fixing case originally appeared on... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2012-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]

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US judge blocks $2.2bn Penguin Random House merger

Justice department argued the melding of the publishing house with Simon & Schuster would harm competition and authors’ payA US judge has blocked the $2.2bn planned merger of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, with rival Simon & Schuster.Judge Florence Pan of the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-01 00:30:18 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble is Offering Buy One, Get One 50% Off on Hundreds of Books

Barnes & Noble is currently holding a huge Buy One, Get One 50% Off sale applied to hundreds of titles, both in store and online. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-10-13 17:01:37 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2022

Barnes & Noble has released their list of the best books of 2022. The list includes everything from memoirs to dystopian novels. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-10-10 14:26:02 UTC ]
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Florence Pan, Judge in DOJ v. PRH Case, Confirmed to U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C.

The United States Senate voted on Tuesday to elevate the judge overseeing the lawsuit that will decide the fate of the proposed merger of Penguin Random House with Simon & Schuster to the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, filling the seat that belonged... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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What Five Years with a Predatory Vanity Press Taught Me About Art and Success

Every few months, I receive an email or phone call from someone who claims to work for a literary agency or publishing entity. In the lengthy messages variegated with bold-faced sentences, or voicemails in which the speaker mispronounces my maiden name, I’m promised six-figure book deals with... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-22 08:52:55 UTC ]
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What Is Going On With Barnes & Noble?

Writers sounded the alarm after learning Barnes & Noble stores would only be stocking hardcovers with proven sales records. Here's more on what this means. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-08-19 15:26:28 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of August 22, 2022

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sells an autobiography to Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books takes a memoir by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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What Was the ‘It Book’ of Summer 75 Years Ago?

Laura Z. Hobson’s “Gentleman’s Agreement” was so popular that Simon & Schuster could barely keep up with demand. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-08-18 14:41:29 UTC ]
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Op-Ed: How an antitrust trial could reshape the books we read — and who writes them

The proposed merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster could lead to fewer voices — including marginalized voices — being published. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-08-18 10:09:48 UTC ]
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Lit Agents Say S&S Acquisition Would be Bad for Business

A survey released by the Association of American Literary Agents has found that 87% of respondents oppose the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House, citing, among their chief concerns, that the deal would result in “less competition” for titles and “lower advances.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Is Publishing About Art or Commerce?

The antitrust trial to block the merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster has riveted the industry—and raised larger questions about the business of books. Continue reading at New Yorker

[ New Yorker | 2022-08-16 16:22:22 UTC ]
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DOJ v PRH: Madeline McIntosh Details PRH's Publishing Process

As the Department of Justice’s case against the proposed acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House entered its third week, the defense called PRH US CEO Madeline McIntosh, plus merger and acquisition executives from ViacomCBS and PRH, to the stand to discuss why approval of the... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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DOJ v. PRH: Agents, Publishers Move Center Stage

As attorneys for Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster took their turn to defend PRH's purchase of S&S, William Morris Endeavor's Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, Gallery publisher Jennifer Bergstrom, and Norton's John Glusman found themselves in the witness chair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-11 04:00:00 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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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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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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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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