Kindle book loaning now live

greencat · 12-30-2010, 08:32 AM

I just logged onto Amazon and it now looks like I can lend previously bought Kindle books to others.

Clicking on Loan this book gives you:

Which appears to let you loan the book to anyone (even those without a Kindle).

More details over here at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...=discounter-20

sirmaru · 12-30-2010, 09:50 AM

I logged into my account and that option was NOT available for the ebook I checked.

Thus, it appears only certain books will have this option. It is probable the publisher must approve it.

Scurzuzu · 12-30-2010, 10:00 AM

Looks like it's available by default on all non-DRM'ed Kindle titles, and only available for a select few DRM'ed titles. You can tell whether it has the feature before purchase by looking under the Product Details section, where there's now a category called "Lending."

Someone needs to start a lending library program (forum thread? website?) where people list books they want to read and give an email address, and people who have already bought said books can use up their "single loan coupon" for a stranger. I'm not sure there'd ever be enough participants or eligible books to make it work, but it'd be a nice way to share with others.

greencat · 12-30-2010, 10:01 AM

By default it's switched on I think. Publisher info below:

http://forums.digitaltextplatform.co...externalID=581

ProfCrash · 12-30-2010, 10:42 AM

woohoo

I think

bhartman36 · 12-30-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scurzuzu

Looks like it's available by default on all non-DRM'ed Kindle titles, and only available for a select few DRM'ed titles. You can tell whether it has the feature before purchase by looking under the Product Details section, where there's now a category called "Lending."

Someone needs to start a lending library program (forum thread? website?) where people list books they want to read and give an email address, and people who have already bought said books can use up their "single loan coupon" for a stranger. I'm not sure there'd ever be enough participants or eligible books to make it work, but it'd be a nice way to share with others.

I've started a Facebook group for that purpose. Admittedly, "Kindle Book Lending Club" is a lame name, but I took all of 10 seconds to set it up.

ProfCrash · 12-30-2010, 01:40 PM

LOL just remember that you can only lend a book once. I am keeping my lending options in the family.

bhartman36 · 12-30-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

LOL just remember that you can only lend a book once. I am keeping my lending options in the family.

I completely forgot you could only lend once. Oh, well. I can still see advantages in having a larger pool to pick from, but it does require the person have your e-mail address, so I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people were wary.

Scurzuzu · 12-30-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhartman36

I completely forgot you could only lend once. Oh, well. I can still see advantages in having a larger pool to pick from, but it does require the person have your e-mail address, so I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people were wary.

Yeah, those are two big reasons people won't participate--the fact that lending is a one-time-only affair, and that you have to provide an email address. However, it doesn't look like you have to provide the address associated with your Amazon Kindle account (although I haven't confirmed this yet--I'm just basing this off of the Amazon FAQ).

As for that one-time-only limit, I suspect at least some people share their Kindle titles amongst family members who are already on their accounts, or they don't share subject interests with family. That leaves friends next on the list, and then complete strangers!

...but yeah, I'm not sure it would take off.

On a related note, I saw that GalleyGat has opened a similar Facebook page today: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galley...pp_10442206389

bhartman36 · 12-30-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scurzuzu

On a related note, I saw that GalleyGat has opened a similar Facebook page today: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galley...pp_10442206389

Cool.

I'll check that page out.

bhartman36 · 12-30-2010, 02:40 PM

I just got an e-mail from the Amazon DTP program that clarified the terms:

Quote:

All DTP titles are enrolled in lending by default. For titles in the 35% royalty option, you may choose to opt out of lending by deselecting the checkbox under "Kindle Book Lending," in the "Rights and Pricing" section of the title upload/edit process. You may not choose to opt out a title if it is included in the lending program of another sales or distribution channel. For more details, see section 5.2.2 of the Term and Conditions.

FizzyWater · 12-30-2010, 06:31 PM

And already the authors on a Paranormal Romance email "chat list" I'm on are all a'twitter. They're all squawking that their publishers had better opt-out or else...

Care · 12-30-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

And already the authors on a Paranormal Romance email "chat list" I'm on are all a'twitter. They're all squawking that their publishers had better opt-out or else...

That stinks. I know I first heard about it when I saw Brandon Sanderson tweeted that you could lend his amazon books now. Some authors don't seem to have a problem with it.

Trini · 12-30-2010, 06:51 PM

It's a nice step but it's still too restrictive i.e. the time limit and only being able to lend a book once. If ebooks and ebook readers are supposed to mimic the experience with physical books then an owner should at least be able to lend their ebooks for an unlimited number of times and for any length of time. Just like with physical books

I guess the heavy restrictions are in place to prevent people from only borrowing books from friends and not buying them. Publishers are doing their best to milk the ebook industry for all its worth before it becomes more lenient re rights and access.

STrucks · 12-30-2010, 07:35 PM

For any redditors out there, I've got a Kindle Lend/Request reddit up and running. Check it out here: http://www.reddit.com/r/KindleLend/

12-30-2010, 08:32 AM	#1
greencat Freebie finder Posts: 907 Karma: 2046472 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony, Kindle	Kindle book loaning now live I just logged onto Amazon and it now looks like I can lend previously bought Kindle books to others. Clicking on Loan this book gives you: Which appears to let you loan the book to anyone (even those without a Kindle). More details over here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...=discounter-20 Last edited by greencat; 12-30-2010 at 08:46 AM.

12-30-2010, 09:50 AM	#2
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	Only certain books ! I logged into my account and that option was NOT available for the ebook I checked. Thus, it appears only certain books will have this option. It is probable the publisher must approve it.

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12-30-2010, 10:00 AM	#3
Scurzuzu Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 104 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York Device: Kindle / iPhone / iPad	Looks like it's available by default on all non-DRM'ed Kindle titles, and only available for a select few DRM'ed titles. You can tell whether it has the feature before purchase by looking under the Product Details section, where there's now a category called "Lending." Someone needs to start a lending library program (forum thread? website?) where people list books they want to read and give an email address, and people who have already bought said books can use up their "single loan coupon" for a stranger. I'm not sure there'd ever be enough participants or eligible books to make it work, but it'd be a nice way to share with others.

12-30-2010, 10:01 AM	#4
greencat Freebie finder Posts: 907 Karma: 2046472 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony, Kindle	By default it's switched on I think. Publisher info below: http://forums.digitaltextplatform.co...externalID=581

12-30-2010, 10:42 AM	#5
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	woohoo I think

12-30-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	LOL just remember that you can only lend a book once. I am keeping my lending options in the family.

12-30-2010, 06:31 PM	#12
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	And already the authors on a Paranormal Romance email "chat list" I'm on are all a'twitter. They're all squawking that their publishers had better opt-out or else...

12-30-2010, 06:51 PM	#14
Trini Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 498442 Join Date: May 2010 Device: sony prs650	It's a nice step but it's still too restrictive i.e. the time limit and only being able to lend a book once. If ebooks and ebook readers are supposed to mimic the experience with physical books then an owner should at least be able to lend their ebooks for an unlimited number of times and for any length of time. Just like with physical books I guess the heavy restrictions are in place to prevent people from only borrowing books from friends and not buying them. Publishers are doing their best to milk the ebook industry for all its worth before it becomes more lenient re rights and access.

12-30-2010, 07:35 PM	#15
STrucks Member Posts: 20 Karma: 467372 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	For any redditors out there, I've got a Kindle Lend/Request reddit up and running. Check it out here: http://www.reddit.com/r/KindleLend/

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