Short Take: Amazon.com trades legal barb with Barnes & Noble

Amazon.com has countersued Barnes & Noble, alleging that Barnes & Noble is competing unfairly by omitting sales taxes on books sold online, according to published reports. Generally, online commerce is exempt from such taxes, except for transactions in the state where the retailer is located. Amazon.com alleges that Barnes & Noble does not qualify for such an exemption because they maintain a retail presence in most states.