Amazon Faces Proposed Class Action Alleging Audiobook Monopoly

Amazon.com Inc. is the target of a proposed class action brought by an author who claims the company has monopolized the audiobook retail market, enabling it to extract higher distribution fees and reduce the visibility and reach of titles not exclusive to the company.

Author CD Reiss alleges the e-commerce giant also penalizes authors who distribute their titles on other platforms, including by denying exclusive platform options on Amazon. Reiss says Amazon’s “coercive and anticompetitive conduct” violates the Sherman Act and the company should be declared a monopoly under the federal statute and have to pay damages.

Amazon is also ...