Comments on: DoJ plans to sue Apple and major US book publishers

By: robdobbs

robdobbs — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:12:00 +0000

I know I do.

By: wizardru

wizardru — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:16:00 +0000

The DoJ is notifying them because it’s basically a tactic to get them to the table pre-litigation, in hopes of avoiding the actual case. The DoJ wouldn’t announce it to them in this fashion unless it already HAD the material it needed for a case. They have done similar things before.

By: cellocgw

cellocgw — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:13:00 +0000

You’d think the publishers would take a look at the incredible success of sub-$5 games and apps on mobile platforms (which I think ebook readers count as), and adjust their prices accordingly. But then, you’d think the publishers actually think.

By: m0g

m0g — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:01:00 +0000

Not sure how it’s a luxury item. Don’t forget publishers are competing with the same book in other formats, other books in the same format, and – especially relevant with internet purchases – just putting it in the wishlist and moving on.

By: m0g

m0g — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:57:00 +0000

On Amazon, some Kindle book prices, particularly from Hachette, are substantially higher than the *hardcopy* price. Like, ridiculous prices. The listing is usually noted: “Price set by publisher”.

By: Matt Moylan

Matt Moylan — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:18:00 +0000

The proper price for an e-book is…whatever they want to sell it for. It’s a luxury item, it cannot be overpriced.

By: scatterfingers

scatterfingers — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Apple should absolutely be sued into the ground over this, and the publishers with them. Their price exclusivity contracts should also be illegal.

By: foobar

foobar — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:04:00 +0000

I’m a big fan of Amazon, but I’d kind of like them to have a gander at their “you have to offer us the lowest price” policy. That’s anti-competitive too.

By: Christine Fisher

Christine Fisher — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:49:00 +0000

I recommend the full article, which does explain the Amazon exclusion.

By: Cowicide

Cowicide — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:38:00 +0000

Well, it’s the same DoJ that allows all these giant monopolies to form via mega-mergers, etc. in the first place… Same DoJ that thought Comcast buying NBC was perfectly cool, etc.

This is the result of the highest bidder influencing the corrupt DoJ. Has very little to do with actual justice and everything to do with money, money, money.

By: royaltrux

royaltrux — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Good! I refuse to buy digital editions that are only pennies cheaper than the cut-down-a-tree, process it, print it, bind it, ship-it-to-your-door editions. It’s getting ridiculous.

By: cheem

cheem — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Amazon wants to break the publishers and be able to set its own prices on books. On the other hand, Apple wants to work with the publishers and let the publishers set the prices. After a little kerfuffle a few years back between Amazon and Macmillan, Amazon was forced to capitulate, which was not necessarily bad thing if you’re a signed author. I wonder whether someone’s been lobbying for this investigation…

By: ShealaB

ShealaB — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Is there some reason Amazon isn’t named in this suit?

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:46:00 +0000

Apple can’t get rid of anything since they use Time Capsule and iCloud!

/sarcasm

By: Abe Lincoln

Abe Lincoln — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:40:00 +0000

I think the DOJ needs to be reminded what “Clean Hands” are.

By: Teirhan

Teirhan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:29:00 +0000

Is it usual for the DoJ to warn corporations this way? Seems like it’s just letting them know in advance which records they need to get rid of before the suit is actually brought.