After complaint: Publishers can offer audio books directly to Apple
Following proceedings by German and European competition regulators, Apple will no longer source audiobooks for its iTunes platform exclusively from Amazon subsidiary Audible.
The EU Commission and the German Cartel Office welcomed the move on Thursday and suspended their proceedings. These stemmed from a complaint by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. The association, which represents the interests of publishers and bookstores, took action against the exclusive agreements under which Apple sourced audiobooks for its download service only from Audible. At the same time, Audible did not supply any other music platforms. This worldwide exclusivity was lifted in January.
Audible will continue to work with Apple - but publishers can now also offer their audiobooks directly to the iPhone company. The German Cartel Office and the EU Commission now hope for more competition and lower prices for consumers. At the same time, the iTunes platform is just one of many players in the audiobook market. (SDA)
