The European Commission has announced a formal antitrust investigation into Amazon’s Kindle ebook business and the way that publishers Requires Amazon inform it about more favorable terms offered to its competitors.
In a statement the Commission said dry clauses “seem a shield Amazon from competition from other e-book distributors” by Ensuring it knew about, and had the option to take up any better terms officers that rivals dry as Kobo and Apple’s iBooks.
If confirmed, dry behavior could violate EU antitrust rules Which prohibit abuses of a dominant market position and Restrictive business practices.
Margrethe Vestager, the EU Commissioner in charge of competition policy, said: “Amazon has developed a successful business Consumers That offers a comprehensive service, Including for e-books. Our investigation does not call That into question.
“however, it is my duty to make sure That Amazon’s arrangements with publishers are not harmful is Consumers to Preventing other e-book distributors from innovating and competing Effectively with Amazon.
“Our investigation will show if dry Concerns are Justified.”
Amazon said it was “confident That our agree- with publishers are legal and in the best interests of readers,” adding That it looked forward “to demonstrating this to the Commission as we Cooperate fully during this process.”
The investigation into the Amazon follows a US and EU probe into Apple’s e-book business in Which the iPad and iPhone maker was accused of fixing Encouraging prices to publishers that offer the same terms to all retailers.
A US court Ultimately Convicted Apple of anti-trust violations, a verdict the company is appealing against, while the publishers agreed to change how they make Their titles available.
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