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Amazon is using language like "e-book(s) sold" when the reality is that they mean "e-book license(s) sold." The difference may be subtle, but if an e-book come
by isomorphic 12y ago
Amazon is using language like "e-book(s) sold" when the reality is that they mean "e-book license(s) sold." The difference may be subtle, but if an e-book comes with DRM, the buyer certainly does not "own" it. Amazon even makes that point themselves, as they promote e-books as having "no secondary market."
This is an important point when you consider the vendor lock-in of the Kindle "ecosystem." Instead of "e-book," a better phrase might be "Kindle software."
Amazon should be careful of throwing stones about illegal collusion as they approach market domination. It will be very easy for them to make a mistake which runs afoul of anti-trust law.
- idunno246 12y agoAnd one of the reasons they list for the value being lower is it cant be resold (ie, it has drm)
- rahimnathwani 12y agoDRM vs. no DRM Sale vs. licence These are two separate issues.
- isomorphic 12y agoTheoretically yes, but technologically no. I can't "own" something with server-based DRM on it. DRM creates a right (or an ability) of revocation for the seller.
- rahimnathwani 12y agoIt's not DRM that prevents you from owning the book. It's the licence. The DRM just makes it easier for the licensor to enforce the terms of the licence. I 'buy' DRM-free books from O'Reilly. The lack of DRM means that O'Reilly won't ever be able to remove my ability to read those books on a new device. However, I still don't own the books, and have no second-sale rights.
- mentat 12y agoIt's trivially easy to strip Kindle DRM. They provide added value with WhisperSync and notes syncing in general that dissuade this.