Why Apple Backed Down in Fight With Publishers

Maybe Apple isn’t so untouchable after all. The device maker, which has been locked in a battle with publishers, made a surprise concession recently, dropping a pricing requirement for its App Store that irked publishers. Before, publishers couldn't undercut the subscription price they offered in the App Store—the new guidelines do away with that requirement. The previous guidelines, issued in February, seemed aimed at ensuring Apple had a pricing advantage. They also presented a complication for publishers who are used to testing various price points to hook new subscribers and reward existing ones. Apple doesn’t say a lot about why it does what it does. But while it had gotten a few big publishers to agree to its subscription terms, it’s had pushback from companies over its terms, including the 30 percent it skims off App Store purchases and its refusal to share customer data, and it's likely this move is related to that. Other devices are coming to market, presenting new competition for Apple, and loosening the stranglehold that the company has had over content producers to this point. Plus, publishers are exploring browser-based apps that would skirt the App Store altogether. This week, The Financial Times made waves when it did just that after having rejected Apple’s subscription terms. Outsell’s Ken Doctor believes other publishers, like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, marquee brands that are important to Apple, see the FT as a potential model to imitate... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'

[ AdWeek | 2011-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #digital editions #gregg hano #vice president #popular science #digital version

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August’s Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review

Among this month's starred reviews: a novel in which the discovery of a sexy 19th-century manuscript leads to erotic adventures, and a comprehensive guide for psychotherapists. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Ebooks Strain Libraries, Can Self-Publishers Make Inroads?

The cost of ebooks has strained relations between libraries and publishers, forcing both to look for solutions. One answer is coming from distributors of self-published ebooks. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A win for readers? DOJ's proposed measures for Apple would make price-shopping easier

One part of a proposal to enforce the verdict against Apple for allegedly fixing ebook prices would require Amazon and Barnes & Noble 'buy' buttons in the Apple store, allowing consumers to easily compare ebook costs. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers 'must work with academic libraries'

Publishers need to work more closely with academic libraries in developing countries, a report by... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Surveying Publisher Approaches to Ebook Production

ZOO Digital surveys digital publishing executives about their ebook workflows and the comparative advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing and internal production. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DoJ calls for more penalties for Apple

The US Department of Justice has called for further and extended penalties for Apple in the wake... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Slams Feds' Proposed E-Book Remedies as a "Draconian and Punitive Intrusion"

Apple says the DOJ's proposed remedies in its ebook price-fixing case are unwarranted, overreaching and at times unconstitutional. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2013-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Brazilian Publishing Industry Sees Worst Decline Since 2002

Hit by inflation and lower government purchases, Brazil's book market shrank by 2.64% last year, the worst decline in real value since 2002. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Feds proposed Apple ebook remedies include antitrust monitor

One month after a New York federal  judge ruled that Apple Inc. had conspired to fix electronic book prices, the Department of Justice has proposed a series of restrictions on Apple's digital book sales.      Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DOJ Calls for Apple to End Book Deals, Link to Rival Bookstores

The Department of Justice and 33 state attorneys general on Friday called for an array of sanctions that they claim will "reset competition to the conditions that existed before the conspiracy." Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Feds, states want Apple to revamp ebook practices

The Justice Department and 33 state attorneys general want to force Apple to sign contracts with publishers that don't prevent Apple or other ebook stores from competing on price.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple faces ebook clamp down

US regulators have called for Apple to be forced to cancel certain ebook contracts with major publishers. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Happy birthday, Harry Potter! A look back at Harry's special days

The birthday of Harry Potter falls on July 31 (which also happens to be the birthday of J.K Rowling). In the Potter universe, the days are usually eventful ones. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Manufacturing Gains Offset Publishing Declines at Courier

An 11% increase in its manufacturing segment offset a 3% decline in its publishing group leading to an overall 9% revenue increase at Courier Corp. for the third quarter ended June 29 with sales hitting $64.1 million. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-published authors on Polari longlist

The longlist for the 2013 Polari First Book Prize has been revealed, with two self-published... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A.H. Belo and Journal Publishing revenues Drop

The newspaper industry was hit with more bad news mid-week, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer made deep cuts to its newsroom, and several newspaper publishers reported more revenue declines. The Plain Dealer, owned by Advance Publications, delivered ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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10,000 Publishing People at Work: South Korea’s Paju Bookcity

South Korea's Paju Bookcity is unique in the world: home to some 200 publishing companies and 10,000 publishing professionals, mere miles from the North Korea border. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook announces Mobile Games Publishing pilot program

Facebook has reportedly been toying around with the idea of launching a distribution platform for mobile games, boosting advertising revenue by also taking a cut of sales. As of today, the initiative is official: a new Mobile Games Publishing page is now live on Facebook's developers site. The... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette New Zealand to cease new publishing

Hachette has restructured its New Zealand business, closing its publishing unit and relocating... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Planning for Multiplatform Publishing

With so much at stake, and so much potential labor cost involved in maintaining multiple channels, many publishers are being cautious in planning their long-term content strategies. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2013-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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