Why Apple Backed Down in Fight With Publishers

Maybe Apple isn’t so untouchable after all. The device maker, which has been locked in a battle with publishers, made a surprise concession recently, dropping a pricing requirement for its App Store that irked publishers. Before, publishers couldn't undercut the subscription price they offered in the App Store—the new guidelines do away with that requirement. The previous guidelines, issued in February, seemed aimed at ensuring Apple had a pricing advantage. They also presented a complication for publishers who are used to testing various price points to hook new subscribers and reward existing ones. Apple doesn’t say a lot about why it does what it does. But while it had gotten a few big publishers to agree to its subscription terms, it’s had pushback from companies over its terms, including the 30 percent it skims off App Store purchases and its refusal to share customer data, and it's likely this move is related to that. Other devices are coming to market, presenting new competition for Apple, and loosening the stranglehold that the company has had over content producers to this point. Plus, publishers are exploring browser-based apps that would skirt the App Store altogether. This week, The Financial Times made waves when it did just that after having rejected Apple’s subscription terms. Outsell’s Ken Doctor believes other publishers, like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, marquee brands that are important to Apple, see the FT as a potential model to imitate... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'

[ AdWeek | 2011-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #digital editions #gregg hano #vice president #popular science #digital version

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Why Apple Backed Down in Fight With Publishers'


Why Apple's eBook Pricing Defense Is Wrong

Apple responded to DOJ antitrust accusations claiming it simply leveled the playing field against Amazon's virtual monopoly of the ebook industry. I disagree. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #playing field


Imago launches ‘first in publishing’ consultancy

Book production company Imago is to launch a new digital consultancy tasked with helping... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


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 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 defends ebook price-fixing by calling Amazon a monopoly

Apple shot back at critics and the Justice Department late Thursday, denying claims that it colluded with publishers to keep the price of ebooks artificially high. Even more interesting? The Cupertino, Calif. company took a veiled shot at Amazon, saying its actions were necessary to break up the... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #monopolistic grip #key businesses #tablet market


Apple refutes collusion charge

Apple has joined Penguin and Macmillan in defending itself against accusations of collusion over... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #joined penguin


Vatican, Bodleian Libraries will publish millions of ancient texts online

Works that will be available for perusal will include Gutenberg's Bible, believed to be the first text ever printed. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bodleian libraries


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


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


Double-digit print drop for top publishers

Eight of the top 10 publishers saw double-digit drops in printed book sales year-on-year in the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #top publishers #double-digit drops


DOJ's Antitrust Case May Have Huge Implications for Publishing

The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five book publishers over alleged ebook price fixing means that the publishers have to... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishers #antitrust case #antitrust lawsuit


The Apple ebook antitrust lawsuit: What it means

The Justice Department and attorney generals from 16 states sued Apple Inc. and five major book publishers, alleging they colluded to raise the price of electronic books. 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: #justice department #electronic books


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


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


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 ]
More news stories like this |


Local Media Association and California Newspaper Publishers Association Form Strategic Partnership

Recognizing that collaboration in the industry has never been more important, the California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) has joined forces with the Local Media Association (formerly Suburban Newspapers of America) to offer certain product ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #joined forces


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


Reports: Apple Could Face Federal E-Book Suit Today

The Department of Justice may file a suit against Apple today over ebook price-fixing complaints, according to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg. The DOJ has been probing antitrust complaints regarding Apple's 2010 pacts with  book publishers; several of the biggest publishers are preparing to... Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishers #biggest publishers


Apple's Steve Jobs conspired on ebook price-fixing, lawsuits say

WASHINGTON -- Former Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs and top executives at five major book publishers illegally conspired to raise the prices of ebooks, costing consumers tens of millions of dollars, federal and state officials alleged in antitrust suits filed Wednesday. 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: #ebook price-fixing #washington -- #top executives