Barnes & Noble incorporates in Germany, hints European Nook
updated 12:10 pm EDT, Thu March 29, 2012
B&N may be planning to launch Nook in Germany
Barnes & Noble may soon bring its Nook Tablet to Germany, as it recently incorporated a new company in the country. Called Barnes & Noble Digital Media GmbH, the company was created on March 15, which also nearly coincided with a visit to London to interest developers in creating apps for the seven-inch tablet.
The new company will have its headquarters in Berlin, and Eugene DeFelice, the VP, general counsel, and corporate secretary of the company, will run it, though this may be a transitional position.
Expanding to overseas markets is key if the bookseller hopes to bring up the Nook's 3.5 percent market share. The outfit isn't likely to launch dedicated stores in Europe, however, as it would be too costly. Instead, B&N may partner with local companies to sell the tablet in existing stores. The most likely partner is Waterstones, which promised a tablet of its own but also praised the Nook. Other potential teammates include Thalia and DBH, while bookstore aggregator BookWire already has a partnership with B&N.
European developers aren't yet likely to be very motivated, however, as billing would require them to set up US bank accounts and getting paid in US dollars. The German market also already offers e-books and tablets from Amazon and Apple. [via TechCrunch]
