Think you’re safe from the Amazon/BookSurge ultimatum because you’re in the United Kingdom? Think again. You might be next!

Amazon has lauched a POD service in the U.K. While they say “We are offering titles that are being produced by other print on demand providers”…they don’t say they’ll continue to do so.

The article also states: “It is unclear whether this move will affect terms negotiations with publishers. North refused to comment adding ‘we are launching something brand new and we hope it will create savings that will benefit everybody’.”

Read the entire article (and don’t miss the reader comments!) here: http://thebookseller.com/news/68379-amazon-uk-launches-pod-service.html

We recently ran across an interesting quote by Jeff Bezos, written 10 years ago when Barnes and Noble tried to buy Ingram Book Group. (The deal was abandoned by Barnes and Noble seven months later under pressure resulting from antitrust concerns of the FTC and independent booksellers.)

Amazon.com’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, immediately took a defiant approach: “To our customers: Worry not … Those who make choices that are genuinely good for customers, authors, and publishers will prevail. Goliath is always in range of a good slingshot … Our long-term strategy has been to diversify our supplier base and to increase our direct purchasing from publishers.”
Source: Barnes & Noble Buys Ingram and Sets Off a Powder Keg

Pot, meet kettle.

PooperScoops weighs in with: Hypocrisy From Amazon’s Glass House

The petition from SPAN, the Small Publishers Association of North America, is now up:

http://www.spannet.org/amazonantitrust-signers.htm

Thanks to everyone for their support!

Publisher’s Weekly released a story today summarizing the arguments between Amazon and BookLocker, based on the court filings:

Amazon, Booklocker Trade Motions in POD Antitrust Case

Angela Hoy was interviewed by Tom Nixon at SmallPress Blog regarding the Amazon/BookSurge lawsuit. You can read the interview HERE.

Amazon Throws its Weight Around, Book Publishers Push Back - Association rallies independent publishers to support lawsuit against business giant *

Colorado Springs, CO, July 7, 2008 - The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN), a national trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of independent publishers, launched a campaign to generate support for the antitrust lawsuit - Booklocker.com, Inc. vs. Amazon.com, Inc.

The SPAN board recently voted to publicly support the lawsuit.

Read more, including how you can help small publishers and SPAN, RIGHT HERE.

Thank you, SPAN!!!

The article, Amazon Deals Have Short Shelf Life by Doug Tsuruoka, appears in Investor’s Business Daily.

According to the New York Times, Amazon “has adopted the literary equivalent of a nuclear option for rebellious publishers” and another Bangor, Maine resident, Stephen King, is affected.

The New York Times article is HERE.

UPDATE: June 17, 2008 - Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has responded to The Long Riders Guild Press regarding Amazon / BookSurge. Read his letter HERE.

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The Long Riders Guild Press Seeks Government Protection From Amazon
http://www.classictravelbooks.com/amazon.htm

Their page includes their story along with links to:

In Defense of Literary Liberty, an editorial published in the British publication, The Bookdealer.

The Blood of Books, an on-line editorial urging independent authors and publishers to resist Amazon’s efforts.

Letter to President George W. Bush, reminding him that it was President Teddy Roosevelt who, in order to curb abuses throughout industry, ordered the Anti Trust Act against the most powerful corporations in the country, even though he was a pro-business Republican.

Letter to First Lady Laura Bush, explaining that as a former librarian The Guild is requesting the First Lady to use the influence of her office to help the book writers, publishers and readers of this nation in their hour of need.

Letters to Presidential Candidates Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama, to ask for each of their views in regards to this extraordinary assault on the integrity of American literature.

Letter to Thomas O. Barnett, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, US Department of Justice, requesting that he use the authority of his office to help the book writers, publishers and readers of America ascertain if the nation’s monopoly laws have been violated by Amazon.

Letter to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, warning him that the equestrian heritage represented by the Kentucky-based Long Riders’ Guild is now threatened.

Letter to Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, advising him that in an ironic twist of fate the freedom of literary liberty represented by The Long Riders’ Guild Press is now endangered.

Letter to Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, urging him to order an immediate investigation into Amazon’s assault on America’s literary legacy and Kentucky’s equestrian literary heritage.

See:
http://www.classictravelbooks.com/amazon.htm

MORE:

The Blood of Books: A Warning to Authors, Publishers and Readers

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