MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Amazon’s Book Monopoly : A Threat to Freedom of Expression?

emellaich · 02-19-2016, 05:46 PM

So,

I must say I don't understand this entire issue. I am truly open to new information, but let me state my belief so someone can point out where I am wrong.

1. As I said earlier, I don't see where Amazon's actions are censorship or restrictions on my freedom of speech. There are many other places, like here on mobileread where I can 'speak' and due to the openness if the Internet I can always start up my own outlet.

2. Free Speech aside, the next question is whether Amazon is a monopoly. Because of the issues above I don't feel that it is. In its short history the computing and the internet has taught us the difficulty of sustaining over the long run. We have seen the ascendance (and to some extant fall) of IBM, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Excite, AltaVista, Yahoo, MySpace, Google, Facebook, Twitter, etcetera. For example, Google is probably with us for the long haul just like IBM and Microsoft; however with the increase of mobile usage their core business of search engine advertising is threatened. I am not convinced Google will be as dominate 10 years from now. and I never know where its next competitor will come from. Similarly, who knows about Amazon. They are undoubtedly strong, but unlike a true monopoly there are few barriers (regulatory or scarce resources) to keep new competition away.

Note: Over the short run the popularity of the Kindle does give Amazon the possibility of exerting unfair market power. However, consumer devices are relatively short-lived and it would be easy to switch to an alternative. Which leads me to point three.

3. There is nothing wrong with being a monopoly. It's legal and there is nothing bad about it. What is wrong is when monopolies abuse their power and are unfair. Even if you think Amazon is a monopoly, has it been unfair? Here are what I believe are the facts (I would welcome any contrary thoughts):
- They do not pick and choose authors. They accept virtually all books.
- They are much less restrictive to authors than publishing houses were since more people can now be published.
- The rates they offer authors (70/30 split?) are much better than historical rates.
- Authors set their own prices, not Amazon.
- To the consumer, not only has choice increased, but prices are lower than in the world without Amazon.
- In fact, since market forces have come into stronger play, you can get many books for free as authors try to attract new readers.

So anyway. I don't believe Amazon restricts speech. I don't believe Amazon is a monopoly. Even if Amazon is a monopoly, I don't see where they are abusing their market power.

02-19-2016, 05:46 PM	#162
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	So, I must say I don't understand this entire issue. I am truly open to new information, but let me state my belief so someone can point out where I am wrong. 1. As I said earlier, I don't see where Amazon's actions are censorship or restrictions on my freedom of speech. There are many other places, like here on mobileread where I can 'speak' and due to the openness if the Internet I can always start up my own outlet. 2. Free Speech aside, the next question is whether Amazon is a monopoly. Because of the issues above I don't feel that it is. In its short history the computing and the internet has taught us the difficulty of sustaining over the long run. We have seen the ascendance (and to some extant fall) of IBM, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Excite, AltaVista, Yahoo, MySpace, Google, Facebook, Twitter, etcetera. For example, Google is probably with us for the long haul just like IBM and Microsoft; however with the increase of mobile usage their core business of search engine advertising is threatened. I am not convinced Google will be as dominate 10 years from now. and I never know where its next competitor will come from. Similarly, who knows about Amazon. They are undoubtedly strong, but unlike a true monopoly there are few barriers (regulatory or scarce resources) to keep new competition away. Note: Over the short run the popularity of the Kindle does give Amazon the possibility of exerting unfair market power. However, consumer devices are relatively short-lived and it would be easy to switch to an alternative. Which leads me to point three. 3. There is nothing wrong with being a monopoly. It's legal and there is nothing bad about it. What is wrong is when monopolies abuse their power and are unfair. Even if you think Amazon is a monopoly, has it been unfair? Here are what I believe are the facts (I would welcome any contrary thoughts): - They do not pick and choose authors. They accept virtually all books. - They are much less restrictive to authors than publishing houses were since more people can now be published. - The rates they offer authors (70/30 split?) are much better than historical rates. - Authors set their own prices, not Amazon. - To the consumer, not only has choice increased, but prices are lower than in the world without Amazon. - In fact, since market forces have come into stronger play, you can get many books for free as authors try to attract new readers. So anyway. I don't believe Amazon restricts speech. I don't believe Amazon is a monopoly. Even if Amazon is a monopoly, I don't see where they are abusing their market power.