US Justice Department Confirms E-Book Probe

markbot · 12-07-2011, 03:33 PM

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Justice Department confirmed Wednesday that it is conducting an antitrust investigation into the pricing of electronic books, the latest antitrust watchdog to probe whether there was improper collusion by publishers and Apple Inc. to prevent discounting.

At a congressional hearing, Sharis Pozen, the Justice Department's acting antitrust chief, said: "We are also investigating the electronic book industry, along with the European Commission and the states attorneys general."

The Wall Street Journal and other media have reported that the Justice Department has been investigating the matter since last year. However, Ms. Pozen's comments on Wednesday were the first time the Justice Department publicly confirmed the existence of the probe.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...#ixzz1fsZ7t0DS

Daithi · 12-07-2011, 04:25 PM

Excellent news!

Purple Lady · 12-07-2011, 04:33 PM

I just found a link that should show the full story for those of us without a subscription
full story

Prepper · 12-07-2011, 05:11 PM

Awesome!

Namekuseijin · 12-07-2011, 05:13 PM

where are the Apple lobbyists?

ScalyFreak · 12-07-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

where are the Apple lobbyists?

Agency pricing is being investigated and may become outlawed, and your first reaction is to take a pot shot at apple owners? You need to rearrange your priorities!

This is excellent news!

fjtorres · 12-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Actually, one of the interesting twist is that even if the Feds do find something, they can argue they aren't violating any law because it is *the publishers* that are selling the ebooks and they are the ones forbidding discounting and they are the runs running the ebook cartel.
Unless somebody produces a document *proving* the scam started with Apple, it is most likely the publishers that will get left holding the bag.

I'm finding the idea oddly pleasing.

("Deal with scorpions and you're bound to be stung.")

ScalyFreak · 12-07-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Actually, one of the interesting twist is that even if the Feds do find something, they can argue they aren't violating any law because it is *the publishers* that are selling the ebooks and they are the ones forbidding discounting and they are the runs running the ebook cartel.
Unless somebody produces a document *proving* the scam started with Apple, it is most likely the publishers that will get left holding the bag.

And that's the best part. The big publishers would be forced to try and be competitive ni quality and value, rather than by price fixing. Me like.

fjtorres · 12-07-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

And that's the best part. The big publishers would be forced to try and be competitive ni quality and value, rather than by price fixing. Me like.

That too.

I'm just tickled by the image of the publishers that thought getting into bed with Apple was going to "save" them from eee-vile Amazon getting their heads handed to them by the feds, the Brusselcrats, and a hundred juries.

And Apple laughing all the way to the bank.

Rand Brittain · 12-07-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Agency pricing is being investigated and may become outlawed, and your first reaction is to take a pot shot at apple owners? You need to rearrange your priorities!

He didn't say 'owners', he said 'lobbyists', that is, the people that large companies employ to bribe government into doing what they want.

ScalyFreak · 12-07-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rand Brittain

He didn't say 'owners', he said 'lobbyists', that is, the people that large companies employ to bribe government into doing what they want.

Oh, in that case that's okay. Professional lobbyists are perfectly fine to target. They're like lawyers that way.

Fbone · 12-07-2011, 06:42 PM

If the DOJ and the Courts allow hundreds of other products to be agency priced, why would they make an exception for ebooks?

rhadin · 12-07-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

If the DOJ and the Courts allow hundreds of other products to be agency priced, why would they make an exception for ebooks?

The U.S. Supreme Court has already approved agency pricing with regard to electronics, so it is doubtful anything will happen to upset the ebook agency pricing.

SeaKing · 12-07-2011, 07:10 PM

Well anyway there is hope that we will whip these miscreants back into their caves!

markbot · 12-07-2011, 07:21 PM

Agency pricing is fine. It's the real possibility that the publishers might have colluded in order to set it up....and continue to collude to set higher prices....that could be illegal.

If any one publisher tried agency pricing then maybe they would have failed by allowing Amazon or apple to play one company off the other...but if they colluded together and agreed on the pricing scheme...then that could be illegal.

12-07-2011, 03:33 PM	#1
markbot Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 7511929 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2	US Justice Department Confirms E-Book Probe WASHINGTON—The U.S. Justice Department confirmed Wednesday that it is conducting an antitrust investigation into the pricing of electronic books, the latest antitrust watchdog to probe whether there was improper collusion by publishers and Apple Inc. to prevent discounting. At a congressional hearing, Sharis Pozen, the Justice Department's acting antitrust chief, said: "We are also investigating the electronic book industry, along with the European Commission and the states attorneys general." The Wall Street Journal and other media have reported that the Justice Department has been investigating the matter since last year. However, Ms. Pozen's comments on Wednesday were the first time the Justice Department publicly confirmed the existence of the probe. Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...#ixzz1fsZ7t0DS

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12-07-2011, 04:25 PM	#2
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	Excellent news!

12-07-2011, 04:33 PM	#3
Purple Lady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,698 Karma: 16542228 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Device: Huawei MediaPad M5, LG V30, Boyue T80S, Nexus 7 LTE, K3 3G, Fire HD8	I just found a link that should show the full story for those of us without a subscription full story

12-07-2011, 05:11 PM	#4
Prepper Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 183156 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Castle Rock, CO Device: Kobo Forma	Awesome!

12-07-2011, 05:13 PM	#5
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	where are the Apple lobbyists?

12-07-2011, 05:53 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, one of the interesting twist is that even if the Feds do find something, they can argue they aren't violating any law because it is the publishers that are selling the ebooks and they are the ones forbidding discounting and they are the runs running the ebook cartel. Unless somebody produces a document proving the scam started with Apple, it is most likely the publishers that will get left holding the bag. I'm finding the idea oddly pleasing. ("Deal with scorpions and you're bound to be stung.")

12-07-2011, 06:42 PM	#12
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,318 Karma: 103930826 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	If the DOJ and the Courts allow hundreds of other products to be agency priced, why would they make an exception for ebooks?

12-07-2011, 07:10 PM	#14
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	Well anyway there is hope that we will whip these miscreants back into their caves!

12-07-2011, 07:21 PM	#15
markbot Guru Posts: 612 Karma: 7511929 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2	Agency pricing is fine. It's the real possibility that the publishers might have colluded in order to set it up....and continue to collude to set higher prices....that could be illegal. If any one publisher tried agency pricing then maybe they would have failed by allowing Amazon or apple to play one company off the other...but if they colluded together and agreed on the pricing scheme...then that could be illegal.