Amazon, which is currently in the midst of a four-month-long feud with book publisher Hachette, has opened up a new battle: one with the Walt Disney Company.
The online retail giant is no longer accepting preorders of Disney DVD and Blu-ray titles Captain America: Winter Soldier and Maleficent. It is unclear what the source of the conflict it; reps from Amazon and Disney could not be reached for immediate comment. Amazon rivals like Walmart and Barnes & Noble are taking preorders on the titles.
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Blocking preorders is the same gambit Amazon used against Hachette, both of whom are also embroiled in a contract dispute. In June, Amazon also began halting preorders of Warner Bros. DVD and Blu-ray titles including The Lego Movie. That spat, based on a pricing dispute, was resolved later that month.
Amazon's tough stance with the movie studios and publishers has led to charges that the company is engaging in monopolistic behavior. Amazon has argued that it is fighting for the customer and that cheaper prices for media will benefit consumers, publishers, authors and Amazon itself.