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Amazon Battles Apple By Arm-Twisting Publishers

bizwriter writes "Apple has upset the e-book pricing cart by agreeing to a so-called agency model, where the publisher sets the price and the seller takes a cut. This goes contrary to the degree of control Amazon likes, so although it apparently gave in to Macmillan back in February, it turns out that Amazon continues twisting arms. The problem publishers face is that Apple has a most-favored-nation clause, so it gets the best deal that the publishers offer. If the publishers give in to Amazon, then they also have to provide the same terms to Apple."

3 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Most-favored-nation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Ah, this should put to rest any doubts that Cupertino is a country of its own. I always knew the fanbois wanted to secede.

    (Also, frist post.)

  2. why worry? by runslothrun · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    publishers will push whatever they want to push and apple may even come out on top.

    it won't matter, though, and amazon will still rule the day.

    why? because, by and large, apple consumers are wanna-be, douche bag, hipsters who wouldn't ACTUALLY read a book if their life depended on it.

    sure, a lot of them will buy oprah's book of the month or some lamer bit of poetry...but it won't be because they're trying to learn something or because they enjoy literature.

    it'll be so they can capture the attention of the other vapid apple tosser they spot at whatever coffeshop they happen to be lurking in while trying desperately to appear relevant.

    there. i said. i predict that by and large most of the apple wanna-be's will buy MAYBE one book for their ipad.

    and that's a big, big maybe.

    1. Re:why worry? by runslothrun · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      why is this flamebait? apple's entire marketing strategy is pinned to 'appearing' to be cool and hip. without question, people wanting to appear 'cool and hip' neither buy books or read them. so how is it flamebait?

      i mean - what's the worry here? apple may sell a lot of ipads but amazon, sony, B&N, etc., will continue to sell ebook readers to people who actually want to read books.

      so, regardless of what publishers end up dictating prices at, apple will never be a contender in the ebook arena.

      sorry you think that's flamebait.