Apple and Amazon have agreed to scrap all exclusivity obligations in the supply and distribution of audiobooks in Europe, reports Reuters. The companies announced their decision on Jan. 5 after talks with the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office.
The exclusivity obligations had prompted a complaint from the German Publishers and Booksellers Association to both regulators. The probe started at the end of 2015, sparked by a complaint from the German publishers and booksellers lobby.
“The European Commission welcomes an agreement to end all exclusivity obligations concerning audiobook supply and distribution between Amazon’s subsidiary Audible and Apple,” the EU competition authority said in a statement to Reuters.
The German cartel office has closed its investigation into Apple and Amazon as there’s no further reason to continue the investigation, the article adds.
