Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
Whether there was collusion is a matter for the courts to decide. Whether there was collusion is a matter for the courts to decide. The Defiant Ones may or may not prevail.
|
Obviously, but that's taken as read within the context of this thread. We don't have to preface every sentence with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
What happened with the Settling 3 was that the DOJ insisted that they go back to the (in effect) wholesale model for the next 2 years because they believe that they had established the agency model through collusion. After that time, the DOJ will allow the Settling 3 to back to the agency model on a staggered schedule.
|
Correct. Thus making it clear that the agency model itself is not the issue.
What's the alternative (assuming that the wrongdoing is upheld)? Allow them to carry on with their ill-gotten model?
You might say that imposing even more massive fines may be enough, but the collusion is presumed to have damaged a competitor, Amazon, and this is one aspect of the redress that the DoJ feels is necessary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
Now the DOJ has made it as difficult as possible to go back to the agency model,
|
Well, it's no harder than it was before the (OK) 'alleged' collusion. They'd just like it done legally.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
but long term I think that the BPHs will go back to the agency model. The wholesale model is just too dangerous for the publishers as long as there is a dominant retailer who can say, Sell me your product at MY price on MY terms or you won't sell squat."
|
Maybe, but this business is moving very fast. Perhaps they'll figure out a business model that will allow them to threaten to pull their books, such as an aggregate shop front for the big houses. Perhaps Google Play's book store will take off and provide a lever that they can use against Amazon. Samsung have got clout and are building an ecosystem of their own, who's to say that they won't move into ebooks as well, and you can never count Apple out of the fight. Again, these might provide alternate markets that can give them leverage and keep their deals with Amazon profitable.
Graham