I’m passing on this article from The Wall Street Journal, as I find it is of interest to most writers as well as readers.
WSJ: Some Pubs Want to Settle Agency Model Issue
Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins and Hachette–three of the five major U.S. publishers in negotiations with the Justice Department over alleged e-book agency model collusion–are “inclined to settle,” according to theWall Street Journal, which cited “people familiar with the matter.” By contrast, Penguin and Macmillan “so far have indicated they aren’t inclined to settle,” and Apple is “reluctant” to settle as well.The settlement under discussion “would likely involve tearing up contracts the publishers signed with Apple when it first introduced the iPad tablet computer in 2010” and “would likely have to allow market leader Amazon.com resume discounting their e-books.”
But apparently after a “cooling-off” period of undetermined length, publishers could “resume the arrangement.” The Justice Department “has argued that the waiting period would allow publishers and booksellers to resume a one-to-one relationship, free of the taint of collusion.”
If publishers drop and then reinstall agency pricing on e-books, it’s unclear whether they could make it the standard term of sale for all accounts again. TheJournal said that some of the publishers had proposed keeping the agency model with Apple and dropping it with other retailers, but the Justice Department has been adamant that they drop it with Apple for a while.
Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, was born to travel and tell the tale. From local cuisine to Michelin Star, simple to gourmet, Maralyn enjoys it all. Discovering flavors, spices, and trends worldwide, from Bocuse d’Or to being a judge at the Turks & Caicos Conch Festival, Oregon Chocolate Festival and others, or interviewing chefs, she is intrigued by all aspects of spa and culinary tourism. As a professional food, wine and travel writer, through guest spots on monthly radio shows, to being editor and contributor to over eight publications, print and online, she reaches several million on a continual basis, domestically and internationally. Maralyn’s years of writing incentive programs and meeting planning expanded her talent for digging below the surface for the unusual. She thrives on discovering different cultures and customs and feels it’s the best geography lesson ever. Also, she derives great satisfaction applying her organizational development skills. She has co-authored three books and hosted a television show for Time Warner Cable from 2002 to 2006. She is past president of The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (12-2008 to 12-2012) and continues as a board member and co-chair of the Conference and Media Trip Committee. Maralyn is always ready to explore different flavors of various cultures and share their tale. People she meets along the way are the best part.