BUSINESS DIGEST | Library e-books coming to Kindle
Library e-books coming to Kindle
NEW YORK
Owners of the Kindle from Amazon.com will be able to download e-books from 11,000 U.S. libraries later this year, the company said Wednesday.
Most U.S. libraries already provide e-books, which work with nearly all e-readers except the Kindle. They’re also accessible on many smartphones and tablets like the iPad.
Amazon.com Inc. says it’s working with OverDrive Inc., which runs e-book systems for public libraries, to make the system compatible with the Kindle.
According to OverDrive, Kindle e-books will have the same lending terms as existing library e-books. Most libraries lend their books out for three weeks at a time. The e-books on Kindle will no longer open after that period of time.
Libraries have a limited number of “copies” of each e-book, so borrowers sometimes must wait for popular titles.
Yum Brands profit rises; China soars
LOUISVILLE, Ky.
Yum Brands Inc., owner of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC fast-food brands, said Wednesday that its first-quarter profit rose 10 percent as growth in its China operations more than offset sluggish performance in the U.S.
The company’s Taco Bell chain began the period with momentum in the U.S., but it suffered a “significant reversal” — a 2 percent sales drop — after a lawsuit was filed in mid-January claiming the filling in its tacos and burritos didn’t contain enough beef to be called that, Yum said.
Taco Bell said the accusations were false, and lawyers pushing the lawsuit dropped it this week.
Yum said the quarter’s sales at U.S. restaurants open at least a year were flat at Taco Bell, up 1 percent at KFC and down 3 percent at Pizza Hut.
Edward Jones analyst Jack Russo said the market was responding favorably to Yum’s strong showing in China.
Operating profit in Yum’s fast-growing China operations grew 18 percent, adjusted for currency fluctuations. The growth was partly attributed to expanding delivery and 24-hour operations at KFC.
Verdict to be read in Mattel-Bratz trial
SANTA ANA, Calif.
A California jury has reached a verdict in the copyright infringement and trade secrets case pitting Mattel Inc. against MGA Entertainment Inc. over ownership of the popular Bratz doll line.
The jury reached the verdict late Wednesday afternoon but U.S. District Court Judge Carter Bryant ordered its reading at 8:30 a.m. today to allow all parties time to arrive at the Santa Ana court.
The panel deliberated almost two weeks.
Mattel alleges that Bratz designer Carter Bryant created the billion-dollar Bratz line while he worked for Mattel and the toy giant therefore owns the doll line.
MGA denies those claims and counter-sued, alleging Mattel engaged in corporate espionage and unfair business practices to squelch competition from Bratz.