[pilotbob]

I read in the thread about the Astak device that Amazon will only license the ability to read DRM'ed Mobipocket books if that is the only DRM'ed format that the device supports. They want it to be exclusive.

I'm sorry, isn't this what MS got fined for doing? Telling Dell and other PC makers that they would only sell them OEM versions of Windows if they didn't put any other browsers, music players, etc. on the PC?

Antitrust law is supposed to protect the consumer, not the competitors. And, while I don't see what MS did as hurting the customer, I could still download Real Player and Netscape and install them... I think what Amazon/Mobipocket is trying to do will hurt the customer.

Most book readers are embedded devices and the end user can not just install another book reader software on it. So, by Amazon forcing Astak to only support Mobi DRM (ie can't support anything else such as eReader, LIT, BBeB DRM formats) this is hurting the customer. I do not have the ability to choose my bookstore and format. This stifles competition to Amazon's benefit hence an abuse of their monopoly as the owner of MobiPocket.

I think this needs to be challenged, if not in court in the court of public opinion. Anyone have a well read blog or something on the topic of book readers or tech in general?

BOb