The deal had earlier prompted lodging of a complaint by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association to the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office thus triggering an investigation by the German Enforcer. Both regulators have now welcomed the move.

Antitrust regulators in the Europe Union have welcomed Apple’s and Amazon’s decision to scrap their exclusive deal for the sale and distribution of audiobooks saying the move will boost competition.

Having deliberated the matter at length with the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office, both companies have announced their decision.

The agreement had earlier prompted a complaint to be lodged from the German Publishers and Booksellers Association to the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office which in turn triggered an investigation by the German enforcer in November 2015.

“The European Commission welcomes an agreement to end all exclusivity obligations concerning audiobook supply and distribution between Amazon’s subsidiary Audible and Apple,” said the European Commission in a statement.

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