Herbert Kohl, Chairman, Michael S. Lee, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary

Dear Senator Kohl,

As you are no doubt aware, recent statements by the Acting head of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and press accounts indicate that the DOJ is taking action against the e-book pricing strategy adopted by five book publishers and Apple. The one voice that is absent in those accounts is the voice of consumers who ultimately pay the price and the one perspective that is missing is a careful consideration of the economics of digital distribution. As the name of the Committee suggests, we believe the antitrust laws are the first line of consumer protection in our economy. We also believe that the committee should give close attention to the e-book price fixing case. When it does, we are confident the Committee will find that vigorous action to stop this abusive practices is in order.