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ARTICLE · 09 MAY 2017

Commission Accepts e-book Commitments From Amazon

Pinsent Masons
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The European Commission has accepted commitments from Amazon over 'parity clauses' in its distribution agreements with e-book publishers in Europe.

European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Alan Davis
Alan Davis
Ben Lasserson
Ben Lasserson

The European Commission has accepted commitments from Amazon over 'parity clauses' in its distribution agreements with e-book publishers in Europe.

These clauses are sometimes called 'most favoured nation' or MFN clauses and require publishers to tell Amazon about any different terms that they offer to Amazon's competitors, and to offer the same or similar to Amazon.

The Commission was concerned that the clauses could make it more difficult for other e-book platforms to compete with Amazon by reducing publishers' and competitors' "ability and incentives to develop new and innovative e-books and alternative distribution services". This could lead to less choice, less innovation and higher prices for consumers, it said.

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