Quote:
Originally Posted by CommonReader
When the publishers were pushing for the agency model Amazon didn't just delist them from its bookstore. It went to the Justice Department to complain, and the Justice Department was happy to oblige by hitting the publishers with fines while ignoring Amazon's stranglehold on the market. Talking about "the market" is all nice and well, but it's much nicer to have big government on your side, isn't it?
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When one publisher went to them and demanded agency (Macmillan) Amazon delisted them. When it was apparent that all the publishers had conspired to demand agency at the same time Amazon complained to law enforcement because that's against the law. The DoJ investigated and found that Amazon's complaint was valid. A new head of the DoJ took over and also agreed and proceeded with charges. Separate investigations in the EU and Canada found the same thing but were settled outside of court.
The 'market' does not mean colluding with your competitors. That's anti free market and illegal.