American Booksellers Association Applauds Random House Move to Agency Model for E-Books

Tarrytown, NY. February 28, 2011

The American Booksellers Association, the national trade association for independent bookstores, today indicated its strong support of the decision by Random House, Inc. to adopt the agency pricing model for the publisher's ebooks in the United States. Under the agency model, a publisher sets a retail price for a specific book, which establishes a level playing field for all resellers.

"We have believed from the beginning that the agency model is in the best interest of not only the book industry, but the consuming public as well," said ABA's Chief Executive Officer, Oren Teicher. "We appreciate the careful and thoughtful deliberation Random House has brought to this issue, and applaud their decision to adopt agency pricing."

With the move to agency, effective March 1, Random House joins a significant number of other major publishers that have already adopted the model. The agency model affects more than 200 ABA member stores with IndieCommerce websites that are now selling Google eBooks online, as well as other resellers of ebooks. As America's largest general interest book publisher, Random House, Inc. books are sold by most independent bookstores.
About American Booksellers Association

Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a not-for-profit trade organization devoted to meeting the needs of its core members -- independently owned bookstores with storefront locations -- through education, information dissemination, business products and services, and advocacy. ABA exists to protect and promote the interests of independent retail book businesses, as well as to protect the First Amendment rights of every American. The association actively supports free speech, literacy, and programs that support local and independent retail shops. A board of nine booksellers, representing thousands of members, governs the Association. ABA is headquartered in Tarrytown, New York.

American Booksellers Association
200 White Plains Rd.
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Meg Smith (914) 373-6641 [email protected]