[telecom] Charles Schumer: Memo to DOJ-Drop the Apple E-Books Suit

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Memo to DOJ: Drop the Apple E-Books Suit

Restoring Amazon's monopoly in digital publishing is not in the public interest.

By CHARLES E. SCHUMER July 17, 2012

Recently the Department of Justice filed suit against Apple and major publishers, alleging that they colluded to raise prices in the digital books market. While the claim sounds plausible on its face, the suit could wipe out the publishing industry as we know it, making it much harder for young authors to get published.

The suit will restore Amazon to the dominant position atop the e-books market it occupied for years before competition arrived in the form of Apple. If that happens, consumers will be forced to accept whatever prices Amazon sets.

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