I am sending part of an article by Angela Hoy, below, so that readers who plan to self-publish or use a Print on Demand Publisher can be aware of Amazon.com’s demand that all POD books that it sells be printed by BookSurge, which is owned by Amazon. This appears as though it might violate anti-trust laws and could lead to Amazon not selling any books from any publisher that doesn’t use their printer, and could drive up book prices. So it is important to readers, self-publishers, and POD publishers alike.

BookLocker Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Amazon.com
By Angela Hoy

This article appeared in Monday's Special Edition of WritersWeekly.com. You may reprint this article or quote from it at your discretion. You can read/post comments here: http://antitrust.booklocker.com

BookLocker.com has filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon.com in response to Amazon's recent attempts to force all publishers using Print on Demand (POD) technology to pay Amazon to print their books.

STRONG DISSENT FROM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES

The Author's Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN), YouWriteOn.com (the U.K.'s leading writer's website) and the National Writer's Union have all issued strong statements denouncing Amazon's attempted power grab of the industry.

We cannot say for certain if what Amazon is doing is legal or not at this point; that is for the Federal courts to decide. However, in our opinion, the seemingly covert manner in which Amazon has conducted itself in this matter seems to make their actions highly suspicious.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Amazon has already taken control of publishers' ebook sales on the Amazon.com website by requiring ebooks be available for their ebook reader, the Kindle. Now, Amazon is attempting to take control of the printing of all POD books. We wonder if traditionally published books are next. Some are speculating that Amazon won't stop until they are being paid to print every book they sell.

ARE YOU AFFECTED?

According to Amazon's public statement, ALL POD books will be affected. If you are a POD publisher (this includes self-published authors who publish their own POD books through a printer), and would like more information, please contact:
Angela Hoy, Publisher
BookLocker.com
angela - at - booklocker.com