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fjtorres · 06-01-2010, 09:14 PM

Actually, price fixing isn't the only form of anti-trust violation that *might* apply to the Agency model. I'm thinking that the publicly-stated intent to eliminate discounting and price-based competition in ebook sales factors just a *wee* bit into the investigation.

Add in that the instigator, Apple, is already under investigation for their practices in other content business where they've thrown their weight around to squash discounting and there is just enough smoke for savvy politicians to see an opening to boost their careers.

All they're doing for now is asking questions.

But we're moving into a populist era in the US, so the climate is right for politicians to go after elitist corporations. And the the tech company with the highest stock market valuation and more cash on hand than California owes is a nice fat target.

(That's why I suggested East Texas for the trial; those folks have a track record. Look it up.)

06-01-2010, 09:14 PM	#7
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Actually, price fixing isn't the only form of anti-trust violation that might apply to the Agency model. I'm thinking that the publicly-stated intent to eliminate discounting and price-based competition in ebook sales factors just a wee bit into the investigation. Add in that the instigator, Apple, is already under investigation for their practices in other content business where they've thrown their weight around to squash discounting and there is just enough smoke for savvy politicians to see an opening to boost their careers. All they're doing for now is asking questions. But we're moving into a populist era in the US, so the climate is right for politicians to go after elitist corporations. And the the tech company with the highest stock market valuation and more cash on hand than California owes is a nice fat target. (That's why I suggested East Texas for the trial; those folks have a track record. Look it up.)