Amazon.com reportedly delaying launch of electronic book sales in Japan amid Japanese publishers' objection to Amazon's desire to set its own e-book prices; publishers are concerned that such a move could trigger collapse of country's paper book industry
Cindy Allen
LOS ANGELES
,
December 27, 2011
(Industry Intelligence)
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Amazon.com Inc.'s launch of an electronic book service in Japan, which had been expected to happen by the end of 2011, is likely to be delayed because of negotiations with Japanese publishers, according to publishing industry sources, Mainichi Daily News reported Dec. 27.
According to the article, publishers are objecting to Amazon's contract terms, which gives the company the right to set prices. In the U.S., Amazon offers far lower prices for electronic books than paper books.
"If such an approach is implemented in Japan, paper book prices could crash, triggering the collapse of the publishing industry," one of the sources is quoted as saying.
Amazon is now looking at next spring to launch the service, according to the sources.
The primary source of this artciel is Mainichi Daily News, Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 27, 2011.
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