Commission opens formal investigation into Amazon’s e-book distribution arrangements

The European Commission opened on 11 June 2015 a formal investigation into certain business practices by Amazon in the distribution of electronic books (e-books).

The Commission aimed to investigate in particular certain clauses included in contracts with publishers. These clauses require publishers to inform Amazon about more favourable or alternative terms offered to Amazon's competitors and/or offer Amazon similar terms and conditions than to its competitors, or through other means ensure that Amazon is offered terms at least as good as those for its competitors.

Politico, 11.06.15: EU opens Amazon e-books probe http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-opens-amazon-antitrust-probe/

The New York Times, 11.06.15: E.U. Launches Antitrust Investigation Into Amazon Over E-Books http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/06/11/world/europe/ap-eu-eu-amazon-e-books-probe.html

The Wall Street Journal, 11.06.15: EU Competition Watchdog Investigates Amazon Over Electronic-Books Business http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-competition-watchdog-investigates-amazon-over-electronic-books-business-1434016916

Politico, 12.06.15: Why the EU-Amazon fight was inevitable http://www.politico.eu/article/amazon-antitrust-bonnier-apple-hachette-vat/

Deutsche Welle, 11.06.15: EU launches probe into Amazon e-books http://dw.de/p/1Ffjz

BBC News, 11.06.15: Amazon e-book operation in European anti-trust probe http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33092939

EurActiv, 11.06.15: EU opens investigation into Amazon's e-book business http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/eu-opens-investigation-amazons-e-book-business-315314

EUObserver, 11.06.15: EU probes Amazon's e-book contracts https://euobserver.com/digital/129078

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