Authors Guild Slams e-Book Settlement

The Authors Guild is objecting to a proposed settlement between the Justice Department and three publishers over charges of price fixing in the electronic book trade, saying the deal gives Amazon the ability to "reshape the literary market" through excessive discounting. The Authors Guild complains of "Amazon's monopolistic reach" in the bookselling market, and charges that the online retailer is relying on a set of unfair tactics to ensure that publishers comply with Amazon's pricing policies.