I don't see anything wrong with someone reselling a free review copy of a physical book. If you don't want people reselling free review copies, then don't give them out in the first place.
Also, I've heard from multiple authors that issue #2 is definitely still a problem at Amazon.
> 2) Books are counterfeit
> 3) Books were purchased through "unauthorized" channels, e.g. free review copies
> None of these is a problem with the Amazon buy box.
Perhaps in your experience, but that's not the case. Counterfeiting, at the very least, is an actual current problem on Amazon for all sorts of items, including books.
Used, stolen or grey-market books are also not beyond the pale for unscrupulous sellers.
If it were, then Amazon could say to publishers, "We fixed the counterfeit book problem, now customers have to click on another link to buy fakes from third party sellers." But putting counterfeits 2 clicks away instead of one click away isn't actually a solution.
There's a lot to criticize Amazon for. I just thought the linked Vox article was incredibly terrible reporting.
If you go to a bootleg site, you expect bootleg books. If you go to Amazon, you expect legitimate books.
1) Books are stolen
2) Books are counterfeit
3) Books were purchased through "unauthorized" channels, e.g. free review copies
None of these is a problem with the Amazon buy box. We don't complain that "Samsung doesn't get paid when people buy Samsing TVs at Best Buy" and I don't see how this is any different.
I think Amazon is guilty of a lot of shady practices that harm businesses (like co-mingling potentially counterfeit Fulfillment by Amazon inventory with Ships From and Sold by Amazon.com inventory). But this article makes no sense.