iPad is a devil's deal for publishers

By Joe Wilcox, Betanews Apple's approach to magazine and newspaper subscriptions and third-party ebook sales stink of the kind of practices that got Microsoft into trouble with trustbusters on two continents during the late 1990s and early 2000s. A year ago, publishers embraced iPad as the savior of their industry. Now iPad looks like a devil's deal instead.Trouble started three days ago, when Sony said that Apple rejected its Reader software from the App Store in a policy change. Apple responded that there is no policy change. Oh? Well, if there is no overt policy change, it is effectively one of enforcement. Either way, the demands Apple is placing on publishers is too much, and arguably being made from a monopoly position. Essentially, the company wants sales to go through the App Store, which would compel the likes of Amazon and Sony to sell ebooks indirectly through Apple and would prohibit magazine and newspaper publishers from offering existing subscribers the benefits of iPad editions without paying more.Policy Change by Another NameLet's start by identifying what is or is not a policy change. Yesterday, during News Corp.'s The Daily Launch, Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of Internet Services, said that "You'll hear an announcement from us very soon for other news publications." That suggests the policy for subscriptions, at least, isn't clear -- if Apple still has something to announce. Regarding content sales, Sony surely seemed surprised about its Reader... Continue reading at 'Betanews'

[ Betanews | 2011-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #bad business #barnes noble #fight back #windows pcs #copyright betanews

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Library bodies warn publishers off 'retrenchment' over ebook lending

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Thu, 17/03/2011 - 09:23 The Society of Chief Librarians and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council have signed a joint position on ebook lending in libraries, saying the Publisher Association's baseline position has "limited practical use"... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French authors happier with publishers

Written By: Barbara Casassus Publication Date: Wed, 16/03/2011 - 13:30 French authors are increasingly satisfied with their publishers, according to the third annual survey conducted by the Civil Society for Multimedia Authors (Scam). The latest results show that 71% of respondents are... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Big French publishing houses to return to Paris Book Fair

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers Debate Pricing, Marketing Models For Apps

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publisher Steps Down

Barry O'Callaghan, the chief executive of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, resigned on Tuesday after less than two years on the job. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple May Release Publishing Tool

It looks as if Apple will be in the digital mag game with more than just subscription apps. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Library E-Books Live Long, Publisher Sets Expiration Date

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[ The New York Times | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French government says publishers should collaborate over ebook negotiations

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New iBooks update opens door to fully illustrated publishing

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Continuum crowned indie publisher of the year

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two pre-LBF deals top £1m in rights frenzy

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IPG: Publisher and retailer relationships must change

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The New York Times | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Adobe Ships Tablet Publishing Suite

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[ PC World | 2011-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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