Quote:
Originally Posted by drofgnal
|
Heh.
"The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry," says Neumayr. "Since then customers have benefited from eBooks that are more interactive and engaging."
Riiiight. Competition among *whom,* is the question. And I noted that he didn't say "Customers paid less for ebooks." Customers who can't afford them, don't benefit from "more interactive" ebooks. (Also: WTF? "More interactive and engaging" ebooks aren't the topic of this lawsuit. Nobody else is selling ebook apps.)
I'm also *endlessly* fascinated by the claim that Amazon ruled the publishing industry with an iron fist. Because, wtf, if you don't like the retailer,
don't sell to that retailer. Publishers had plenty of opportunity to support Fictionwise, Diesel, and other ebook stores... they wanted Amazon's publicity engine but not Amazon's sales terms.
At this point, I don't particularly *care* what happens as a result of the court case. The three settlements mean the Agency Block is broken; with 3 out of 6 BPHs switching to more flexible pricing terms, Apple will have to either allow that flexibility or lose 1/2 of its BPH iBooks entries, the "publisher set this price" things at Amazon will no longer be the majority, and smaller ebookstores--ARE, Fictionwise, Kobo--will be able to play coupon-and-discount games to draw in customers.