Amazon's updated e-book return policy looks like a big win for authors

Anyone who has been taking advantage of Amazon's liberal return policy regarding e-books could soon be in for a shock. That's because following discussions with the Authors Guild, Amazon has agreed to block automatic returns on digital books that are more than 10 percent read. Currently, the problem for authors on Amazon is that customers can return e-books online anytime within seven days of purchase no matter how much content has been consumed. That means if you can you read a book in less than a week, you can simply return it when you're done for free, resulting in a loss of profits for the author. However, under the new policy which is scheduled to go into effect sometime before the end of the year, Amazon will begin blocking automatic returns on e-books that are more than 10 read, which will then need to be reviewed by a representative to ensure that the return is genuine. The Authors Guild says the goal is to create a deterrent for people who abuse Amazon's current policy and to prevent people from treating Amazon's e-book marketplace as an ersatz library. Issues with Amazon's e-book return policy date back more than a decade, but had recently come under fire again after lifehacks about the company's guidelines began circulating online. And according to NPR, in some cases, abuse of the company's return policy even resulted in some authors having negative earnings balances, which typically happened when customers returned an e-book after the creator had been paid out... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2022-09-23 19:10:20 UTC ]

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Jean-Luc Godard disliked e-books before they even existed.

The revolutionary—and highly literary—filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard died today at the age of 91. Thinking about him, and about all the books in his films (sometimes held sexily by Jean-Paul Belmondo), I was reminded of an anecdote reported by Richard Brody, in which Godard, in 2000, imagined and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-09-13 14:28:12 UTC ]
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Librarians and lawmakers are fighting for better e-book access

Since the early 2010s, libraries and publishers have clashed over the terms and costs of e-book licenses, which grant libraries permission to loan digital books. Librarians and their legislative allies are pushing publishers of electronic books to lower their prices and relax licensing terms, an... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2022-09-06 11:15:37 UTC ]
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Virginia Judge Rules Against Book-Banning Attempt

In The Association of American Publishers and Authors Guild had filed an amicus brief in the case, which sought to limit sales of two books. The post Virginia Judge Rules Against Book-Banning Attempt appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-30 22:31:10 UTC ]
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AAP Won't Seek Fees in Maryland E-book Case

In a new filing, the AAP said that it will not seek to recoup costs and legal fees it incurred in its successful challenge to a Maryland e-book law that was declared unconstitutional earlier this year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Dave Trott 'best of' e-book published for people with dyslexia

'Being Interesting' features selected articles from Trott’s long-running blog about creativity. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2022-08-03 10:34:37 UTC ]
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Prime Day Kindle deals: Every Amazon e-reader is absurdly cheap

Amazon’s Kindles are the e-readers most people want. Usually, high demand means higher prices. Yet Amazon is all but giving Kindles away for Prime Day 2022, offering up deals on both basic and bougie models at absurdly low prices, even as “Prime Day” continues on into its second day. (You need... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2022-07-13 14:58:47 UTC ]
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Every Amazon Kindle is ludicrously cheap for Prime Day

Amazon’s Kindles are the e-readers most people want. Usually, high demand means higher prices. Yet Amazon is all but giving Kindles away for Prime Day 2022, offering up deals on both basic and bougie models at absurdly low prices. You need to be a Prime subscriber to claim the discounts, of... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2022-07-12 15:41:08 UTC ]
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AAP Seeking $300K in Legal Fees After Winning Maryland E-book Case

After successfully challenging Maryland’s library e-book law in court, the Association of American Publishers is now seeking to recover roughly $300,000 in court costs and legal fees from the state. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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From the Archive: July 02, 2012

As ALA wraps up its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., we look back at our coverage of its 2012 event. Then as now, e-book lending was a divisive issue. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In Final Order, Court Declares Maryland's Library E-book Law Unconstitutional

The final order declares Maryland's groundbreaking, controversial library e-book law preempted by the Federal Copyright Act and blocks its enforcement, all but ending a months-long lawsuit filed by the Association of American Publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Court Seeks Proposed Declaratory Judgment in Maryland E-book Case

A federal judge has asked the parties for a proposed declaratory judgment to end the legal dispute over Maryalnd's library e-book law, but the parties dispute whether the request means the court is preparing to deny the AAP's bid for a permanent injunction. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Prepare to earn CompTIA and AWS certifications with this $20 e-book bundle

IT professionals are accustomed to spending too much money to upgrade their skills and land new roles. But, these days, it’s not as necessary. That’s because web-based resources are available that are far more cost-effective—for example, the 2022 CompTIA and AWS Practice Exam E-Book Bundle,... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2022-05-20 08:00:00 UTC ]
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Rhode Island Advances Its Library E-book Law

On May 18, the Rhode Island Senate's Committee on Education unanimously voted to advance the state's library e-book law out of committee and to the floor for a full vote. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings

As book-bannings sweep the United States, two campaigns from the industry demonstrate different styles and tones of response. The post Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-05-06 00:17:19 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble is finally offering an audiobook service

Barnes & Noble finally has a direct answer to Amazon's purchase of Audible. The bookseller has launched a B&N Audiobooks service in the US that lets you either buy recordings or pay $15 per month for a subscription that offers one recurring monthly credit. You'll have access to more than... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-04-07 16:21:47 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: Finland’s Market Continues to Swing to Subscriptions

In 2021, Finland's consumer base bought two digital books for every single print book sold, the Finnish Book Exchange, FILI, reports. The post London Book Fair: Finland’s Market Continues to Swing to Subscriptions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-05 06:06:58 UTC ]
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Maryland Library E-book Law Faces Permanent Injunction

After declining to appeal a preliminary injunction issued last month, Maryland attorneys now have until April 11 to show why a permanent injunction should not be issued. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple's AirPods Pro drop to $175, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals

A slew of gadgets went on sale this week and many remain discounted as we head into the weekend. A number of Apple devices are on sale right now, including the AirPods Pro for $175, the iPad mini for $459 and the new iPad Air with the M1 chipset for $570. Elsewhere, Amazon's Fire HD 8 table is... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-03-25 15:45:31 UTC ]
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The smallest library in Maine is stocking its shelves with banned books.

If you’ve been paying attention to local news, you know the wave of book bans sweeping the nation isn’t slowing down—but people are pushing back. PEN America continues to speak out against censorship; a professor has offered to teach Maus to all students affected by its ban; the Authors Guild... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-03-17 15:55:49 UTC ]
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From the Archive: March 14, 2016

In March 2016, years of legal wrangling over the DOJ’s e-book price-fixing suit against Apple and five publishers ended when the Supreme Court declined to hear Apple’s appeal. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
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