SPAN is a nonprofit trade association representing over 1,000 book publishers and authors who are vendors of Amazon.com. The group said in a statement to the online retailer that "it is fair to say that almost all of our publishers and authors who use POD to distribute through Amazon.com will be negatively affected by this new policy."

SPAN and the ASJA join PMA, the independent book publishers association, which has spoken out against Amazon's move.

ASJA says it is urging the Washington State attorney general's office to investigate whether Amazon's move constitutes restraint of trade or otherwise violates anti-trust laws.

--Nina M. Lentini

This news story is important. I recommend that everyone read it.