Amazon.com Acquires Three Internet Companies

Posted on April 28, 1998

Amazon.com, Inc. announced that it has acquired three Internet companies: Bookpages, Ltd; Telebook, Inc.; and Internet Movie Database Ltd. Amazon.com expects online retailers Bookpages and Telebook to become fundamental components of its expansion into the European marketplace, and Internet Movie Database to support its eventual entry into online video sales.

"These acquisitions will enable Amazon.com to quickly offer European consumers the same combination of selection, service, and value that we now provide our U.S. customers," said Jeffrey P. Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. "I'm excited about these companies because each has a relentless focus on customer service, an unwavering commitment to Internet commerce, and a smart, innovative management team."

Bookpages> is one of the largest online bookstores in the United Kingdom, providing access to all 1.2 million U.K. books in print. Telebook, operating through its ABC Bucherdienst subsidiary, is Germany's number one online bookstore, with a catalog of nearly 400,000 German-language titles. Originally launched in 1990, Internet Movie Database is a comprehensive repository for movie and television information on the Internet.