Why feds are fighting book publishers merger and not taking on Amazon

The U.S. Justice Department’s attempt to stop Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster started in court this week.

The U.S. Justice Department’s attempt to stop Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster started in court this week. Photo by Shutterstock.

The U.S. Justice Department’s attempt to stop Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster started in court this week. The government says the merger could hurt authors. The publishers argue the merger would be good for competition, even though the combined company would control nearly half of all book publishing. Looming over the trial is Amazon, which is the top seller of the books they publish. 

Credits

Guest:

  • Chris Sagers - professor of law at Cleveland State University

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Angie Perrin, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Brian Hardzinski, Bennett Purser, Marcelle Hutchins, Caleigh Wells