Amazon files for arbitration against fraudulent Kindle Direct authors
What's the story
Amazon has filed for arbitration against book publishers, authors etc. who allegedly made use of the Kindle Direct Publishing system to inflate sales numbers by unscrupulous means. The e-commerce giant, in its complaint filed with American Arbitration Association, has asked for an injunction restraining this activity. It further asked that defendants should pay for damages "in an amount to be proved in arbitration." Here's more.
Accusation
What did they do?
Those accused allegedly offered services to boost the number of pages read in books, create fake customer reviews and make fake accounts to download e-books. All these schemes were used to increase the royalty amount that Amazon offers the authors and publishers. One publisher supposedly said that he'd make an e-book earn Amazon Best Seller status by facilitating 10,000 fake downloads through his network.
Quote
What does Amazon have to say?
"Today's news reflects yet another step in our ongoing efforts to protect readers and authors from individuals who violate our terms of service and manipulate programs readers and authors rely on," an Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch.