Yes, the problem is that the one picking the book (the professor) isn't the one paying for it (the student). Some useful discussion here, including indications

Yes, the problem is that the one picking the book (the professor) isn't the one paying for it (the student). Some useful discussion here, including indications that cheaper options exist: http://suburbdad.blogspot.ca/2014/08/oer-erps-and-idea.html http://suburbdad.blogspot.ca/2014/08/oer-erps-and-idea.html Maybe what's required is a company that a) publishes cheap (probably older) textbooks, and b) rouses student organizations to push for their adoption. Part b) is by far the harder one, and probably doesn't have a technical solution. It's a marketing/consciousness-raising thing.