Germany: Amazon responds to eBooks complaint

Amazon has reportedly responded to an antitrust complaint filed in Germany against the online retailer’s agreements made with eBook publishers.

The company issued a statement just hours after the German Publishers and Booksellers Association announced its filing with the nation’s Federal Cartel Office to defend itself, arguing that it should get a higher discount off eBooks than off physical books.

Amazon also reportedly denied delaying shipments of books published by Bonnier, as reports had claimed last month.

”It’s widely understood that eBooks should cost customers less than the corresponding print edition,” Amazon said in its statement. “We believe this should also be reflected in the terms under which booksellers buy their books from publishers.”

According to reports, Germany prohibits discounting book prices, as both physical and eBook prices are fixed. But the booksellers group accused Amazon of abusing its market dominance in negotiating the commission it receives from publishers when eBooks are sold.

Full content: Gigaom

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