This is the new MLex platform. Existing customers should continue to use the existing MLex platform until migrated.
For any queries, please contact Customer Services or your Account Manager. Dismiss

Amazon must face antitrust claims over audiobooks, US judge says

( June 11, 2025, 19:23 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Amazon subsidiary Audible must face author CD Reiss's US price-fixing claims over its pricing penalties on audiobook authors that distribute through its competitors, and an exclusive agreement with Apple, a US Southern District of New York judge ordered. Audible's 90-day lock-up of exclusive titles can't be upheld as presumptively lawful, as most short-term exclusivity contracts are given the release-heavy sales trends of books, and its "competition penalty" and nonprice penalty raise the question as to whether, given Audible's market dominance, its contracts are truly terminable at will, US District Court Judge Jennifer Rochon said in her order denying Amazon's motion-to-dismiss. Given all the facts alleged, "there is sufficient basis to proceed to discovery on whether Audible's agreements had the practical effect of extending exclusivity," the order said.See attached document....

Prepare for tomorrow’s regulatory change, today

MLex identifies risk to business wherever it emerges, with specialist reporters across the globe providing exclusive news and deep-dive analysis on the proposals, probes, enforcement actions and rulings that matter to your organization and clients, now and in the longer term.


Know what others in the room don’t, with features including:

  • Daily newsletters for Antitrust, M&A, Trade, Data Privacy & Security, Technology, AI and more
  • Custom alerts on specific filters including geographies, industries, topics and companies to suit your practice needs
  • Predictive analysis from expert journalists across North America, the UK and Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific
  • Curated case files bringing together news, analysis and source documents in a single timeline

Experience MLex today with a 14-day free trial.

Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber? Click here to login

Documents

Related Sections