Amazon and Hachette wrap up ebook war


Amazon and book publisher Hachette have finally resolved their differences after months of very public feuding.


The two companies have announced that they're signed a multiyear agreement for the online retail giant to keep selling the publisher's books - both physical and electronic.


The standoff over ebook pricing had led to Amazon restricting stock of Hachette's physical books and preventing pre-orders.


According to the email send by Hachette CEO Michael Pietsch to his authors (and republished by CNN reporter Brian Stelter), "Hachette titles will be restored as soon as possible to normal availability on Amazon, will be available for pre-order, and will be included in promotions on the site."


And just in time for Christmas, too.


It's the ebook terms that are of most interest here, however, having been the source of the dispute in the first place. Apparently these new terms will come into effect in early 2015, and will grant the fourth largest book publisher "full responsibility for the consumer prices of our ebooks," thus allowing it to "change ebook prices dynamically to maximize sales."


According to the New York Times, the deal broadly follows the terms set in the recent Simon & Schuster agreement, which suggests that there's haven't been any special concessions for Hachette.


This would suggest that Amazon, for its part, is getting improved rates on the placement of Hachette books on its website. Amazon itself has revealed that the deal "includes specific financial incentives for Hachette to deliver lower prices."


Both parties seem satisfied with the outcome of this scrap, but you have to suspect that Amazon will be in an even stronger position when it comes time to renegotiate.



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