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UK gov chews over Amazon Book Depository engulfment

Any issues here, does anyone think?

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has invited members of the public to comment on Amazon's proposed acquisition of UK-based The Book Depository.

"Anticipated acquisition by Amazon.com Inc. of The Book Depository International Limited – issued 5 July 2011," reads a notice on the OFT website.

It then advises interested parties to "send written representations about any competition or public interest issues" between now and 18 July this year.

Amazon said yesterday that it planned to buy the Gloucester-based online bookseller for an undisclosed sum.

The OFT's request for submissions is a relatively standard procedure carried out by the regulator. It will make a decision based on comment from members of the public by the end of next month.

If the OFT is unhappy with the proposed merger it could either ask Amazon to make some changes to its planned acquisition, or it could refer such an inquiry on to the Competition Commission.

On the other hand, it may do nothing, thereby greenlighting the deal in the UK. ®

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