Quote:
Originally Posted by bob_ninja
I am perplexed too. Paper books are freely shipped around the world by different chains as well as Amazon. It just seems odd that a more laborious method of distribution of paper books should work better and have less barriers than electronic method?!?!?!
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The problem is (I really should do an article on this) that there are multiple levels of sales (publisher, distributor, retailer) as well as different types of regional rights. Distributor contracts are often restricted by the location of the customer, which would be the retailer. Publishing contracts are similar. Retailers, though, are a different story entirely. A US-based retailer may have to buy through the US or North American regional distributor, but they can sell to anyone, anywhere (barring trade restrictions, of course).
The problem is that things seem strange when you have a situation like Sony or MobiPocket. The company is filling the role of both distributor and retailer. As a retailer, yes they could sell all over the world, but they're bound by the restrictions on their distribution contract terms. Fictionwise, as far as DRMed MobiPocket books are concerned, is a retailer. They buy "wholesale" from MobiPocket and can sell anywhere.