Antitrust: Commission welcomes steps taken by Amazon/Audible and Apple to improve competition in audiobook distribution

The European Commission welcomed steps taken by Amazon/Audible and Apple to improve competition in audiobook distribution. The agreement between Amazon/Audible and Apple has seen exclusivity obligations removed and has followed contacts with the Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office. Under the new agreement Audible is able to supply its downloadable audiobooks to third party platforms, Apple can source audiobooks from alternative suppliers, and that publishers and content aggregators will be able to enter into distribution agreements directly with Apple.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Antitrust: Commission opens formal investigation into Amazon's e-book distribution arrangements http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-opens-formal-investigation-into-amazons-e-book-distribution-arrangements/

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

EU competition watchdogs would be wise to watch out for Apple’s growth http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-competition-watchdogs-would-be-wise-to-watch-out-for-apples-growth/

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