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Perhaps a comparison with the film industry is more relevant than the comparison with the music industry. A certain time after a film is released in the cinemas, the DVD of the film is put on sale in the shops. In the publishing world, if a hardback sells well, the paperback version comes out and often the hardback is remaindered (sold at half price or less in discount book shops). DVDs of old films can be had for only a fraction of the original price and no one complains.
Now, if an ebook version of a book is discounted after a certain period of time has elapsed after the first edition, the publisher would not be losing money but would have the advantage of retaining control of the title. The reader would not have to buy second hand copies where the publisher does not get anything, but buy the electronic version since there will be no mailing costs and the download is instantaneous. The advantage to users is that a book will never have to go out of print or out of stock.
All this is maybe just more wishful thinking.
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