M-Edge, a small Maryland-based company responsible for many popular Kindle cases, last week filed suit against Amazon. According to the Wall Street Journal, M-Edge claims that Amazon has repeatedly tried to change the terms of a contract put into place all the way back in 2009, and has bullied the accessory maker each time it fights back.
In the original contract, Amazon was to receive a 15 percent commission on all sales that go through Amazon’s Kindle store front. Apparently this wasn’t enough for Amazon, who later requested an increase in commission to 32 percent and threatened to remove M-Edge cases from the store if the Maryland-based company didn’t concede.
After finally reaching new terms, M-Edge alleges that Amazon then asked for the difference in commission on cases sold before the increase. Each time M-Edge fought back, Amazon threatened removal from the store and even went so far as to say that M-Edge would no longer get early access to Kindle designs, according to the filing.
“This case presents a classic example of unlawful corporate bullying,” reads the suit. “M-Edge developed a very successful product line: personal electronic device jackets with multiple features for the Kindle and other e-readers. Amazon thereafter repeatedly sought to hijack the product through threats, deceit, interference with M-Edge’s customer relationships, and patent infringement.”
Ah, patent infringement. I sure haven’t gotten my fill of those beautiful words.
M-Edge also alleges that Amazon is currently infringing on a patent it holds describing a book light-equipped ereader cover. Amazon currently sells the Amazon Lighted Leather cover (pictured, right), which M-Edge cites within the suit. The accessory maker is looking for a permanent injunction as well as damages.
Source:http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/28/kindle-accessory-maker-files-suit-against-amazon/
In the original contract, Amazon was to receive a 15 percent commission on all sales that go through Amazon’s Kindle store front. Apparently this wasn’t enough for Amazon, who later requested an increase in commission to 32 percent and threatened to remove M-Edge cases from the store if the Maryland-based company didn’t concede.
After finally reaching new terms, M-Edge alleges that Amazon then asked for the difference in commission on cases sold before the increase. Each time M-Edge fought back, Amazon threatened removal from the store and even went so far as to say that M-Edge would no longer get early access to Kindle designs, according to the filing.
“This case presents a classic example of unlawful corporate bullying,” reads the suit. “M-Edge developed a very successful product line: personal electronic device jackets with multiple features for the Kindle and other e-readers. Amazon thereafter repeatedly sought to hijack the product through threats, deceit, interference with M-Edge’s customer relationships, and patent infringement.”Ah, patent infringement. I sure haven’t gotten my fill of those beautiful words.
M-Edge also alleges that Amazon is currently infringing on a patent it holds describing a book light-equipped ereader cover. Amazon currently sells the Amazon Lighted Leather cover (pictured, right), which M-Edge cites within the suit. The accessory maker is looking for a permanent injunction as well as damages.
Source:http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/28/kindle-accessory-maker-files-suit-against-amazon/
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