Commission investigates digital book price-fixing

Investigators raid firms suspected of anti-competitive activity.

European Commission antitrust officials have raided several companies in the e-book publishing sector.

The firms, based in several member states, have not been named, but are suspected of participating in anti-competitive practices.

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A statement issued by the Commission this morning (Wednesday) said: “The European Commission can confirm that on 1 March 2011 Commission officials initiated unannounced inspections at the premises of companies that are active in the e-book (electronic or digital books) publishing sector in several member states.

“The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and other restrictive business practices.

“The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.”

The Commission said that unannounced inspections were a preliminary step into suspected anti-competitive practices and did not mean that the companies were guilty of anti-competitive behaviour.

There is no deadline for the Commission to complete the investigation.