More On Amazon.ca's Don't Ask For Permission Strategy

from the it's-all-about-the-loopholes dept

theodp writes "Today's National Post reports, 'But Jeffrey Bezos may find he's a little the worse for wear after tangling with Sheila Copps, the Minister of Canadian Heritage. When Mr. Bezos popped into Toronto last week to announce the launch of Amazon.ca, a Canadian version of the online retailer, he breezily informed reporters the project was perfectly legal, and that his lawyers had consulted extensively with Heritage officials. The department promptly responded that while it may have met with Amazon representatives, it did not give its approval. At issue is a government regulation that says booksellers must be Canadian-controlled. But to come under the law, you have to be present in Canada. Mr. Bezos' lawyers believe they have found a way around that: Amazon.ca has no legal presence in the country. The Web site and business are operated out of the United States, and the books are warehoused and delivered in Canada by a third party under contract. Heritage lawyers are examining the deal to see if it conforms to the law and expect to forward their views to Ms. Copps within a week.'"

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