[LINK] Amazon capitulates to Macmillan

[Richard Chirgwin]

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/amazon-surrenders-to-publisher-over-ebooks-20100201-n8sh.html

> NEW YORK:  Amazon.com says it will give in to publishing giant 
> Macmillan and agree to sell electronic versions of its books even at 
> prices it considers too high.
[snip]

> Amazon told customers in a posting on its online Kindle Forum on 
> Sunday that it ''expressed our strong disagreement'' with Macmillan's 
> determination to charge higher prices. Under Macmillan's model, to be 
> put in place in March, e-books will be priced from $US12.99 to 
> $US14.99 when first released and prices will change over time.

And in juxtaposition, what the ACCC says about resale price maintenance 
can be found here:

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/322982

> Any arrangement between a supplier and a reseller that means the 
> reseller will not advertise, display or sell the goods the supplier 
> supplies below a specified price is illegal.
>
> It is also illegal for a supplier to cut off, or threaten to cut off, 
> supply to a reseller (wholesale or retail) because they have been 
> discounting goods or advertising discounts below prices set by the 
> supplier.
Just saying ...

RC