Top court rejects Amazon challenge over book delivery fees
Key takeaways
- The French fee does not apply for purchases above 35 euros.
- Amazon had argued that this French fee was protectionist and a breach of European Union law.
- “The evidence is clear: this measure has cost readers over 100 million euros, driven the French further away from books, and strengthened large retail chains rather than independent booksellers.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize France’s highest administrative court, the Conseil d’Etat, rejected on Wednesday a challenge by Internet giant Amazon over minimum delivery fees on books, as the country continues its battle to protect its cultural traditions in an age of global, digital commerce.
The French government had introduced the minimum three euro ($3.50) fee in October 2023 to help local independent bookstores counter competition from Amazon, which had until then charged a euro cent on book deliveries in France. The French fee does not apply for purchases above 35 euros.
Amazon had argued that this French fee was protectionist and a breach of European Union law.