Amazon's subsidiary Audible and Apple are ending their audiobook exclusivity deals in Europe. Those deals have led to the companies accounting for over 90% of audiobook downloads in Germany, resulting in complaints from authorities.
The end of their deal means Apple may provide audiobooks from other suppliers and Audible can sell audiobooks on third-party storefronts.
The European Commission welcomes an agreement to end all exclusivity obligations concerning audiobook supply and distribution between Amazon's subsidiary Audible and Apple. With the deletion of the exclusivity agreement Apple will now have the opportunity to purchase digital audiobooks from other suppliers,- Andreas Mundt, president, German cartel office
An antitrust probe began in Germany two years ago when the German Publishers and Booksellers Association accused the companies of "abusing their dominant market position." The claim centered around there being an exclusive distribution agreement across Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
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