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 ]

Other news stories related to: "iPad is a devil's deal for publishers"


Barnes & Noble Will Seek to Dismiss Ex-CEO’s Defamation Claim

If successful, the move for summary judgment would narrow the scope of any future trial, B&N attorneys say, and more importantly knock out a claim for which former CEO Demos Parneros is said to be seeking roughly $70 million in damages. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Australian newspapers black out front pages to fight back against secrecy laws

United campaign by media companies highlights government moves to penalise whistleblowing and criminalise journalism • Lenore Taylor: Concrete action rather than nice words are needed on press freedomThe front page of every newspaper in Australia was blacked out on Monday as part of a campaign... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-20 22:51:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Influential Religion Book Buyer Jane Love Dies

Jane Love, who worked as a religion buyer for Barnes & Noble from 2007-2018, passed away at age 63 on September 2. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Where Are All the Memoirs About Abortion?

I scoured the parenting and pregnancy sections in Barnes & Noble, but the only books I could find about pregnancy exclaimed about it happily. I moved on to memoir, fingers running over the bindings of book after book. Where are the ones for women like me? I wondered. Women who don’t know... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2019-09-10 11:00:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Level the Playing Field for Books In Translation

A Slovenian editor says withholding a manuscript for translation is bad business. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


US press assesses 'literary tastemaker' Daunt's arrival at Barnes & Noble

The US press has been assessing the likely impact of James Daunt as the Waterstones boss prepares to take over Barnes & Noble. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-08 12:59:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Elliott deal for Barnes & Noble goes through, Daunt heads to New York

Waterstones owner Elliott Advisors has completed its $683m (£537m) acquisition of US book giant Barnes & Noble following approval by the majority of shareholders. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-06 20:14:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Barnes & Noble says lawsuits 'lack merit' as shareholders file against sale

Shareholders have filed two lawsuits against Barnes & Noble in a legal row over the sale as the book retailer insists the complaints "lack merit".  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-23 16:58:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Libraries Must Draw the Line on E-books

Recent developments suggest a grim future for digital content in libraries, writes Sari Feldman, unless library supporters find a way to fight back. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Barnes & Noble shareholders to consider Elliott offer as details of bid revealed

Barnes & Noble has issued shareholders with a formal tender offer after rebuffing a further bid from US book distributor Readerlink, made after an initial deadline following the agreement with Ellliott Advisors had passed. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-09 12:42:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Amazon, that upstart online bookstore, turns 25 (Photos)

Since its launch 25 years ago, Amazon's reach has extended well beyond an online bookstore. And while it may seem obvious today, at the time Jeff Bezos was working to get his idea to the masses, many investors thought it would be no match for bookstore giants like Borders and Barnes &... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2019-07-08 11:14:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Win A $250 Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

We’ve got a $250 gift card for Barnes & Noble up for grabs, courtesy of Macmillan’s eDeals Newsletter! The Macmillan ... Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-07-02 20:30:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this


What’s the Next Chapter for Barnes & Noble?

A hedge fund wants to buy the bookstore chain for $683 million, including debt. Will the deal work? Experts from Wharton and elsewhere share their insights. Continue reading at Knowledge@Wharton

[ Knowledge@Wharton | 2019-06-18 18:09:27 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Readerlink misses midnight deadline for rival Barnes & Noble bid; Elliott offer stands

US distribution giant Readerlink LLC has missed the midnight deadline for a rival bid to Waterstones owner Elliott Advisors Ltd for Barnes & Noble, but could still propose a counter-offer.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-14 19:27:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Trade figures welcome Barnes & Noble deal

Trade figures have largely welcomed the news that Waterstones boss James Daunt will become c.e.o. of both Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, after Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited bought the US chain in a $683m deal. But a warning has been sounded that some consequences of the deal - which marks... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-09 07:57:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Daunt Relishes Challenge of Leading B&N

James Daunt turned around the fortune of U.K. chain Waterstones and is embracing the opportunity to do the same Barnes & Noble. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Jimmy six-hundred: Mr Daunt goes to New York

In all the current adulation for James Daunt, current chief executive of Waterstones and incoming chief executive of Barnes & Noble, it is worth recalling that it was not always so. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-08 21:31:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Elliott Management Agrees to Buy Barnes & Noble, Daunt to Run Both B&N and Waterstones

Elliott will pay some US$476 million for Barnes & Noble, having last year bought the UK's main chain Waterstones. James Daunt is to run both companies. The post Elliott Management Agrees to Buy Barnes & Noble, Daunt to Run Both B&N and Waterstones appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-06-07 12:22:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Donald Trump Jr.'s Book Deal Inspires Mocking Twitter Hashtag

The MAGA-themed tome "is going to be the top selling book in the Beyond-Help section of Barnes & Noble," cracked one wag. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2019-05-22 13:55:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In Twist, Judge Orders B&N to Help Pay Former CEO's Legal Costs

Among three decisions handed down at a May 6 conference, Judge John G. Koeltl ruled that Barnes & Noble's countersuit against former CEO Demos Parneros can proceed. But in a twist, the judge held that an indemnification clause in Parneros's contract called for the company to advance... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-05-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this