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@JusticeATR must do what they did last year with Quad Graphics and LSC and #BlockThisMerger.Book publishers are looking to consolidate power (which directly threatens readers /authors/booksellers) more and more.
One likely, very large, reason why: Amazon. https://twitter.com/xanalter/status/1331602309458120704
THREAD: [T1] Bertelsmann, the corporation buying @simonschuster, already controls 8.1% of the book publishing market.
Simon & Schuster has 2.9%.
If this sale happens, Bertelsmann will have 11%, with the next largest market share clocking in at just 2.5% with @HarperCollins.
Simon & Schuster has 2.9%.
If this sale happens, Bertelsmann will have 11%, with the next largest market share clocking in at just 2.5% with @HarperCollins.
[T2] Meanwhile, @amazon has been consolidating distribution control over the e-book market at warp speed (it has 67% of online book sales).
This shouldn't be disregarded or ignored!
This shouldn't be disregarded or ignored!
[T3]At the same time, the book publishing industry has experienced a wave of consolidation over the last 10 years:
2012, Random House and Penguin merged
2014, News Corporation acquired Harlequin Enterprises
2016, Hachette acquired Perseus Books
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/books/simon-schuster-penguin-random-house.html
![[T3]At the same time, the book publishing industry has experienced a wave of consolidation over the last 10 years:2012, Random House and Penguin merged2014, News Corporation acquired Harlequin Enterprises2016, Hachette acquired Perseus Books https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/books/simon-schuster-penguin-random-house.html](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ensp5yIXIAAQNAk.jpg "[T3]At the same time, the book publishing industry has experienced a wave of consolidation over the last 10 years:2012, Random House and Penguin merged2014, News Corporation acquired Harlequin Enterprises2016, Hachette acquired Perseus Books https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/books/simon-schuster-penguin-random-house.html")
2012, Random House and Penguin merged2014, News Corporation acquired Harlequin Enterprises2016, Hachette acquired Perseus Bookshttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/books/simon-schuster-penguin-random-house.html
[T4]This trend toward consolidation in the book publishing industry is likely related to publishers looking to gain bargaining power against @amazon.
[T5]The fact that the book publishing industry is actually trending toward consolidation is *important.*
Controlling #SCOTUS precedent means @JusticeATR has deference, or decision making power, to block mergers of this kind.
Will they use it? https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/370/294/
Controlling #SCOTUS precedent means @JusticeATR has deference, or decision making power, to block mergers of this kind.
Will they use it? https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/370/294/
[T6]The agency failed to stop Amazon in the 2014 U.S. v. Apple case. Now they can fix that mistake and protect America’s authors, editors, readers & publishers.
@JusticeATR must take steps to block this merger and break Amazon's power over the sale and distribution of books.
![[T6]The agency failed to stop Amazon in the 2014 U.S. v. Apple case. Now they can fix that mistake and protect America’s authors, editors, readers & publishers. @JusticeATR must take steps to block this merger and break Amazon's power over the sale and distribution of books.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EnsrKGvXIAgIKcK.png "[T6]The agency failed to stop Amazon in the 2014 U.S. v. Apple case. Now they can fix that mistake and protect America’s authors, editors, readers & publishers. @JusticeATR must take steps to block this merger and break Amazon's power over the sale and distribution of books.")
@JusticeATR must take steps to block this merger and break Amazon's power over the sale and distribution of books.
[END THREAD] Read our full statement here: https://www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications/doj-must-stop-bertelsmanns-plan-to-buy-simon-schuster
