Overdrive CEO describes it's action following Harper Collins changes

Fbone · 03-02-2011, 08:40 AM

At the risk of over posting...

Steve Potash Overdrive CEO has written on his company's blog their actions and response to the latest lending changes initiated by Harper Collins.

http://overdriveblogs.com/library/20...censing-terms/

A partial quote:

Quote:

Since Friday, we’ve heard directly from many library partners about the new eBook licensing terms instituted by HarperCollins. As an initial step, here is what OverDrive is doing about it.

Beginning March 7, we are making changes in the eBook ordering process. HarperCollins eBooks and their catalog of titles will be moved from our general eBook catalog to a separate collection. Until we have time to review the effect of these new terms with our library partners, HarperCollins eBooks will not be listed in our Library Marketplace. You will be able to review and order HarperCollins eBooks from a separated catalog, if you so choose.

queentess · 03-02-2011, 08:59 AM

Effectively delisting them. I like this.

rogue_librarian · 03-02-2011, 09:13 AM

Me too. The backlash must have been enormous.

abookreader · 03-02-2011, 09:30 AM

I just really think Penguin and Random House will probably follow the lead though.

chilady1 · 03-02-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queentess

Effectively delisting them. I like this.

Me too!

tubemonkey · 03-02-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Beginning March 7, we are making changes in the eBook ordering process. HarperCollins eBooks and their catalog of titles will be moved from our general eBook catalog to a separate collection.

He dissed 'em

pietrocrazy · 03-02-2011, 05:14 PM

I am very pleased to hear that Overdrive is not taking this lying down. I was worried when HarperCollins announced this that it would become the status quo, but considering the reaction of Overdrive, many librarians, and many readers, I think it's possible HarperCollins will change their minds.

I'm being unusually optimistic today!

Catlady · 03-02-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietrocrazy

I am very pleased to hear that Overdrive is not taking this lying down. I was worried when HarperCollins announced this that it would become the status quo, but considering the reaction of Overdrive, many librarians, and many readers, I think it's possible HarperCollins will change their minds.

I'm being unusually optimistic today!

Or at least that other publishers will not rush to follow HC.

I'm thinking, though, that maybe a boycott is exactly what HC wants--they want people to buy e-books, not read them for free, and this way they get to pretend that it's the libraries who are choosing not to carry their books.

cfrizz · 03-02-2011, 07:14 PM

Or it may very well lead to people boycotting HC whether with ebooks or pb, or hc.

JeremyR · 03-02-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm thinking, though, that maybe a boycott is exactly what HC wants--they want people to buy e-books, not read them for free, and this way they get to pretend that it's the libraries who are choosing not to carry their books.

Indeed. I'm not sure why selling to libraries benefits book companies.

But people have a sense of entitlement that they can read for free. (And rent movies and videos).

SeaBookGuy · 03-02-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyR

Indeed. I'm not sure why selling to libraries benefits book companies.

But people have a sense of entitlement that they can read for free. (And rent movies and videos).

Free? Libraries are funded by taxes!

FF2 · 03-02-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

Free? Libraries are funded by taxes!

Just one more frivolous waste of taxpayer monies, like public schools, national parks and environmental enforcements.

Joykins · 03-02-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

Me too. The backlash must have been enormous.

Also there appears to be a fear of blindsiding unsuspecting librarians who think they are actually buying and not renting something.

rogue_librarian · 03-03-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyR

Indeed. I'm not sure why selling to libraries benefits book companies.

Really. Well, this could get you started.

Barcey · 03-03-2011, 07:06 AM

I don't think the publishing houses care about the library sales so the boycott isn't likely to be effective. There's a lot of negative PR but they've demonstrated they don't care about negative PR.

I think the libraries would be better off using their lobbying power to remind politicians that copyright is intended to grant a temporary ability to earn a profit to encourage more works that fall into the public domain (including public libraries). Bring the discussion back to copyright reform and shorting terms and maybe the BPH will remember that this is a balance between public interest and private interest and libraries aren't just lost sales.

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03-02-2011, 08:59 AM	#2
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	Effectively delisting them. I like this.

03-02-2011, 09:13 AM	#3
rogue_librarian Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 4269175 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Europe Device: Pocketbook Basic 613	Me too. The backlash must have been enormous.

03-02-2011, 09:30 AM	#4
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I just really think Penguin and Random House will probably follow the lead though.

03-02-2011, 05:14 PM	#7
pietrocrazy Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 706 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle	I am very pleased to hear that Overdrive is not taking this lying down. I was worried when HarperCollins announced this that it would become the status quo, but considering the reaction of Overdrive, many librarians, and many readers, I think it's possible HarperCollins will change their minds. I'm being unusually optimistic today!

03-02-2011, 07:14 PM	#9
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 34583358 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	Or it may very well lead to people boycotting HC whether with ebooks or pb, or hc.

03-03-2011, 07:06 AM	#15
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	I don't think the publishing houses care about the library sales so the boycott isn't likely to be effective. There's a lot of negative PR but they've demonstrated they don't care about negative PR. I think the libraries would be better off using their lobbying power to remind politicians that copyright is intended to grant a temporary ability to earn a profit to encourage more works that fall into the public domain (including public libraries). Bring the discussion back to copyright reform and shorting terms and maybe the BPH will remember that this is a balance between public interest and private interest and libraries aren't just lost sales.

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