Conn AG targets Amazon and Apple for price-fixing

gastan · 08-04-2010, 10:03 AM

In June the Texas AG announced an investigation of Apple in regards to the agency price scheme. Now the Conneticut AG has started an investigation into Apple and Amazon.

"In a press realease issued Monday afternoon, the Connecticut AG's office said its concerns stemmed from "both Amazon and Apple [reaching] agreements with the largest e-book publishers that ensure both will receive the best prices for e-books over any competitors." As a result, per the AG, "these agreements appear to deter certain publishers from offering discounts to Amazon and Apple's competitors -- because they must offer the same to Amazon and Apple. This restriction blocks cheaper and competitive prices for consumers."

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/me...icut/19578924/

delphidb96 · 08-04-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastan

In June the Texas AG announced an investigation of Apple in regards to the agency price scheme. Now the Conneticut AG has started an investigation into Apple and Amazon.

"In a press realease issued Monday afternoon, the Connecticut AG's office said its concerns stemmed from "both Amazon and Apple [reaching] agreements with the largest e-book publishers that ensure both will receive the best prices for e-books over any competitors." As a result, per the AG, "these agreements appear to deter certain publishers from offering discounts to Amazon and Apple's competitors -- because they must offer the same to Amazon and Apple. This restriction blocks cheaper and competitive prices for consumers."

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/me...icut/19578924/

THIS is too funny for words! Amazon is brow-beaten into accepting the 'deal' (an offer it couldn't refuse, hint, hint) and *IT* is being investigated for price-fixing. GAWD, politicians are just plain DUMB.

Derek

Logseman · 08-04-2010, 06:00 PM

If you are reluctant to participate in a scam and you do it nonetheless, you ought to get punished too. Of course, it is normal that Apple, the maker of the whole mess, shall be punished harder than Amazon if this collusion is deemed as such.

delphidb96 · 08-05-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logseman

If you are reluctant to participate in a scam and you do it nonetheless, you ought to get punished too. Of course, it is normal that Apple, the maker of the whole mess, shall be punished harder than Amazon if this collusion is deemed as such.

Ah, yes. So Amazon had the choice of being driven out of business or acceding to the publisher-terrorists. And now that they've acceded, let's *punish* them... *LOVE* that logic!

Derek

rhadin · 08-05-2010, 10:47 AM

I think the price fixing issue is that the Amazon and Apple contracts prohibit the publisher from offering a better deal to any other bookseller. So if, say B&N would agree to prebuy 10,000 copies of XYZ if the publisher would wholesale the book for $5 and let B&N sell the book for $6, Amazon and Apple would have to be given the opportunity to buy and sell the book at the same price, although not with the prebuy obligation. I believe this is at the root of the investigation, although (admittedly) I am not positive.

08-04-2010, 10:03 AM	#1
gastan Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 801624 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US Pacific Northwest Device: LePan II, Kobo Aura	Conn AG targets Amazon and Apple for price-fixing In June the Texas AG announced an investigation of Apple in regards to the agency price scheme. Now the Conneticut AG has started an investigation into Apple and Amazon. "In a press realease issued Monday afternoon, the Connecticut AG's office said its concerns stemmed from "both Amazon and Apple [reaching] agreements with the largest e-book publishers that ensure both will receive the best prices for e-books over any competitors." As a result, per the AG, "these agreements appear to deter certain publishers from offering discounts to Amazon and Apple's competitors -- because they must offer the same to Amazon and Apple. This restriction blocks cheaper and competitive prices for consumers." http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/me...icut/19578924/

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08-04-2010, 06:00 PM	#3
Logseman Orisa Posts: 2,001 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	If you are reluctant to participate in a scam and you do it nonetheless, you ought to get punished too. Of course, it is normal that Apple, the maker of the whole mess, shall be punished harder than Amazon if this collusion is deemed as such.

08-05-2010, 10:47 AM	#5
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I think the price fixing issue is that the Amazon and Apple contracts prohibit the publisher from offering a better deal to any other bookseller. So if, say B&N would agree to prebuy 10,000 copies of XYZ if the publisher would wholesale the book for $5 and let B&N sell the book for $6, Amazon and Apple would have to be given the opportunity to buy and sell the book at the same price, although not with the prebuy obligation. I believe this is at the root of the investigation, although (admittedly) I am not positive.