May 14, 2008

Amazon / BookSurge Update for the Week By Angela Hoy
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All's quiet on the Amazon / BookSurge front. They haven't removed any more publisher buy buttons...but they also haven't rescinded their threats. So, we're proceeding as if they are still planning to taking unfair and possibly illegal action against POD publishers.

Word from the inside is that they have yet another contract version coming out this week. I wonder if the terms are any better than the previous numerous versions of their ridiculous contract and if they'll be offering better terms to POD publishers who have already signed previous versions?

Alas, it appears Amazon has their hands full with other matters of late.

New York State recently claimed Amazon must collect and pay New York sales tax. Amazon responded by suing New York State. You can read that story HERE.

The Great State of Texas (where I was raised) is wondering why Amazon isn't collecting and paying Texas sales tax...since they do have a facility in Texas. You can read that article HERE.

Hey, Amazon! Collecting and paying sales taxes in a state where you have a physical location is Business 101! If you played fair and followed the rules, perhaps you wouldn't be getting so many letters from customers, authors, publishers...and government entities!

More news as it develops.

The Amazon BookSurge Information Clearinghouse is HERE.

P.S. If you haven't yet forwarded your complaint about Amazon/Booksurge to the feds, please do so immediately!

E-mail
antitrust.complaints - at - usdoj.gov

Mail
Citizen Complaint Center
Antitrust Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Room 3322
Washington, DC 20530

Phone
1-888-647-3258 (toll free in the U.S. and Canada) or 202-307-2040