Several mainstream media outlets have stories on the renewed vigor of the antitrust authorities’ reviews of Amazon, generally — but particularly in both US media markets, and the company’s roles, and de-facto rules, in what has traditionally been called resale price maintenance. Suggestions have long been lawful, but hard rules, by dominant market players like Amazon… are largely considered, even after 30 years of GOP erosion… unlawful as anti-competitive.

It seems Amazon has “rules” for sellers in its retail channels, that nearly completely prevent them from selling at a lower price on an alternate platform. This was long litigated in the 1950s and 1960s, in the big three automakers attempts to set prices at retail car dealers. So-called vertical resale price maintenance is unlawful.

Confidential Note, to one Jeff Bezos: It. Cannot. Be. Done. Lawfully. In. The. US.

In any event, do pop the popcorn — as the robber-barons get schooled in federal law, here — and on the labor relations front. Out, smiling….

नमस्ते