11-04-2005, 12:49 PM
I actually did suggest a part of this to Amazon a while back, as apparently a lot of other people did too, though competition with Google appears to be a motivating factor. I often only want to buy a particular chapter of an expensive book, so this option actually lets you reassemble books around themes of your choice at a much lower price. Now, if they will only let you print the 'book' and send it to you too.
Reuters story:
Amazon to sell digital books in Google challenge
Thu Nov 3, 2005 9:51 PM ET
By Alexandria Sage
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Amazon.com on Thursday said it would let readers buy digital pages, chapters and entire books through two plans that present a broad challenge to a controversial strategy of Google Inc.
Amazon pioneered the ability to search inside books on the Web, but Internet search engine Google has attracted more attention recently with its plan to copy contents of several libraries, drawing fire from publishers who see it as a violation of copyright.
The Amazon Pages program, in coordination with publishers, lets users buy Internet access to either a page, chapter or the entirety of a book, while a second program, Amazon Upgrade, gives online access to a work that the consumer buys in physical form for an extra fee.
"We believe that over time this could turn into a significant business for Amazon, significant revenue stream for publishers and authors and a helpful customer service for readers," said Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, who said the programs would launch sometime next year.
Bezos declined to comment on Google's program.
Amazon immediately drew praise from the book industry. The president of the Association of American Publishers, Patricia Schroeder, said Amazon appeared to be complying with copyright laws while Google's actions amounted to "rogue eminent domain."
"If the search engines don't respect the creators, there won't be anything to search in the future because creators have to make a living too," Schroeder said.
Prices for Amazon Pages would vary by publisher and potentially by book, but most would cost a few cents per page, Bezos said. He used an example in the Amazon Upgrade program of a book costing $20 and the online access another $1.99.
"Ultimately for each individual book, pricing will be up to the copyright holders," Bezos said. "The copyright holders are the ones who get to make these decisions."
Since readers must pay to view and download books, Amazon's programs steer clear of the controversy around Google, whose plan to scan copyrighted material in libraries has raised the ire of publishers and writers.
Reuters story:
Amazon to sell digital books in Google challenge
Thu Nov 3, 2005 9:51 PM ET
By Alexandria Sage
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Amazon.com on Thursday said it would let readers buy digital pages, chapters and entire books through two plans that present a broad challenge to a controversial strategy of Google Inc.
Amazon pioneered the ability to search inside books on the Web, but Internet search engine Google has attracted more attention recently with its plan to copy contents of several libraries, drawing fire from publishers who see it as a violation of copyright.
The Amazon Pages program, in coordination with publishers, lets users buy Internet access to either a page, chapter or the entirety of a book, while a second program, Amazon Upgrade, gives online access to a work that the consumer buys in physical form for an extra fee.
"We believe that over time this could turn into a significant business for Amazon, significant revenue stream for publishers and authors and a helpful customer service for readers," said Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, who said the programs would launch sometime next year.
Bezos declined to comment on Google's program.
Amazon immediately drew praise from the book industry. The president of the Association of American Publishers, Patricia Schroeder, said Amazon appeared to be complying with copyright laws while Google's actions amounted to "rogue eminent domain."
"If the search engines don't respect the creators, there won't be anything to search in the future because creators have to make a living too," Schroeder said.
Prices for Amazon Pages would vary by publisher and potentially by book, but most would cost a few cents per page, Bezos said. He used an example in the Amazon Upgrade program of a book costing $20 and the online access another $1.99.
"Ultimately for each individual book, pricing will be up to the copyright holders," Bezos said. "The copyright holders are the ones who get to make these decisions."
Since readers must pay to view and download books, Amazon's programs steer clear of the controversy around Google, whose plan to scan copyrighted material in libraries has raised the ire of publishers and writers.
Richard Campbell
Legio XX - Alexandria, Virginia
RAT member #6?
Legio XX - Alexandria, Virginia
RAT member #6?
