EU accepts Apple e-book offer

European Union regulators are set to accept an offer by Apple and four publishers to end an antitrust inquiry into their e-book prices, handing Amazon victory in a attempt to sell online books cheaper than its rivals.

Apple and the publishers have offered to let retailers set their own prices or discounts for two years, and also suspend "most-favoured nation" contracts, which bar publishers from selling e-books more cheaply elsewhere, for five years.