ABAA Objects to Amazon Plan on Domain Names
Today, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America joined with the Authors Guild, the American Association of Publishers, and other organizations, objecting to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN’s) plan to sell top-level domains to private companies. Online retail giant Amazon has bid to be the exclusive custodian of .book, .author and .read domains.
ABAA President John Thomson called the move “anti-competitive” and a threat to the small businesses that make up the Association.
“We count on there being a fair and level playing field for all,” Thomson said. “Amazon's actions are like the 800-pound guerrilla, using their muscle to try and monopolize a marketplace."
The ABAA is the largest and oldest association of antiquarian booksellers in the U.S., representing more than 450 member firms across the nation. The mission of the ABAA is to promote ethical standards and professionalism in the antiquarian book trade.
As antiquarian booksellers, we strive to preserve, protect and bring the past to light. So let’s look to our history and reflect on the wrongs corrected by The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which was passed to prevent market domination by a single entity, ensure a level playing field and equal access to free markets.
For further information, contact Susan Benne or Janine Moodhe at hq@abaa.org.
