US: More than 1,000 Hachette writers appeals to Amazon to resolve pricing spat

More than 1,000 writers part of the publishing giant Hachette, along with their allies, have reportedly sent a letter directly to Amazon’s board of directors to appeal to the executives to resolve a pricing dispute with the publishers.

The group, known as Authors United, said that the board and Amazon itself is threatening to ruin its own reputation through strong-arming Hachette to agree to prices. Amazon has discouraged customers from buying Hachette products as the companies spar over the pricing of Hachette eBooks.

”Efforts to impede or block the sale of books have a long and ugly history,” the letter reads. “Do you, personally, want to be associated with this?”

The letter also warns the directors that the discontent over the dispute could spread. “If this is how Amazon continues to treat the literary community, how long will the company’s fine reputation last?”

Authorities have not gotten involved with the dispute, but some argue that Amazon is walking a fine line between legal and anticompetitive conduct.

Full content: New York Times

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