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One thing that puzzled me as I read the article was why the title referenced the 1-Click button, when really this is much more severe. The "Buy Now" button lets the customer buy something directly from Amazon. The "see other options" button lets one see if there are used versions or whatnot for sale. The difference between these two from the consumer's point of view is that the selection may be lower, "prime" shipping isn't available, and you're really buying from a third party, with their own shipping times, warranty, etc. But from a publisher's or author's point of view, it's the difference of making a new sale-- or not. Publishers and authors don't get anything from the "see other options" button sales. The seller gets most of it, and Amazon takes a cut.
As to whether this should be legal... how close is Amazon to being a monopoly? Those are regulated. Other than that, I suspect they're within their rights. Not that I like the tactics, but I think publishers have their own bad practices that they need to be knocked out of. I just hope authors and readers don't get too hurt in the process.
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