Backlash Over Amazon Monopoly Tactics

6 Comments to “Backlash Over Amazon Monopoly Tactics”

1. Author says:

   March 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm

   A good case can be made that what Amazon is attempting to do violates anti-trust laws. Waiting for federal anti-trust action would take many years–years to get the Justice Department to act, years of trials, years of fussing over what the court decision means. Notice how long it took to deal with Microsoft’s tactics, despite the fact that the corporations they were bullying were large and powerful. None of us can afford that long a wait.

   Action at the state level, however, could move much faster, particularly if it involves off-the-record contact and a somber warning from those who can make trouble for Amazon. Amazon is headquartered in Seattle about a ten minute drive from the office of the Antitrust division of the Washington state attorney general. Here’s the contact information:

   Office of the Attorney General

   Antitrust Division

   800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000

   Seattle, WA 98104-3188

   http://www.atg.wa.gov/Antitrust/default.aspx

   Telephone: 206-587-5510

   Fax: 206-464-6338

   Note the remark on that web page that “The Antitrust Division only processes complaints that involve either Washington State residents or businesses located in Washington State.” Amazon is in Washington state, so it matters not where you are. You might also want to raise the issue with your state attorney general’s antitrust office, asking them to get in touch with their colleagues in Seattle. If you’re a publisher, encourage your authors to write. If you’re an author, encourage other writers to contact them.
2. Mary - Jupiter Gardens says:

   March 31, 2008 at 4:20 pm

   Thank you so much for providing a link to my blog article. In light of the response by Jeff Bezos, I am posting a second one today. I really think this issue shows the common ground that small presses and POD publishers/authors can find, in spite of our sometimes vocal differences.
3. deborah.woehr says:

   March 31, 2008 at 4:52 pm

   Author: Thanks for the tips and the contact information.

   Mary: You’re quite welcome. I hope Jeff Bezos listens to what his customers have to say.
4. Fiction Scribe » Blog Archive » Give Amazon.com the Bird says:

   March 31, 2008 at 10:57 pm

   [...] Backlash Over Amazon Monopoly Tactics by Deborah Woehr [...]
5. Author says:

   April 2, 2008 at 11:35 am

   Those who deplore this move can also contact Amazon’s legal department. Be polite but firm pointing out that, like Microsoft before it, Amazon may face serious legal consequences for this action.

   Legal Department
   Amazon.com, Inc.
   PO Box 81226
   Seattle WA 98108

   Phone: (206) 622-2335
   Fax: (206) 694-2530

   This appears to be their sole in-house attorney:

   L. Michelle Wilson, whose legal credentials are here:

   http://pview.findlaw.com/view/.....channel=LP

   Notice that she appears to have no particular background in antitrust law.

   We may have had some conversation at one time and, if so, she reminds me of many Microsoft employees I talked with during its long antitrust battle. Feel sorry for her, as I did for them. These people aren’t evil themselves. They simply lack the moral independence to grasp that a corporation that treats them nicely and pays them well could do something unethical. Unfortunately, as silent partners they can play as much a role in a business’ downfall as those within it who are totally without any moral compass–the usual Social Darwinian, might makes right sort that seem to have the helm at Amazon.

   For what can happen to Amazon if Amazon does not change and we persevere, look for recent news stories about the major decline in Microsoft’s ranking in both the IT community and with corporate executives. Ten years ago, with the release of Windows 98, frustration and anger at Microsoft was a little-noted grassroots movement, Microsoft was the darling of the stock market, and Apple was said to be doomed. Look how much has changed.
6. Might Makes Right - Amazon/Booksurge/Nation says:

   April 24, 2008 at 9:25 am

   [...] by “Author” at Deborah Woehr’s post, that Might Makes Right is an attitude (or a governmentally invoked perk, your choice), we follow [...]