Quote:
Originally Posted by tompe
But that is not comparable. For ebooks you can usually buy the paper copy. So the default case (the paper book) is that no restrictions concerning readers apply. So introducing ebook restrictions is going from no restriction to restrictions which seems to be something that is not wanted.
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There are many e-books that are not available as paper books, and in any case, the video game analogy seems to stand.
You're not buying a pile of words; you're buying a pile of words organized by an author, distributed through one or more technological avenues. The hard copy, bound-and-printed book is technology (I'd say it's the most important invention in human history), the e-book is technology (and it branches out into various distribution tech as well, once file formats are taken into consideration), the audiobook is technology, the braille copy is technology...
Authors and creators can choose to restrict the types of technology through which they distribute their pile of words.
In the case of the OP's article, DC is choosing to restrict their content to a couple of specific technological avenues. DC has every right to do this. B&N has every right to refuse to carry their content. They're both taking a gamble. I think DC will gain a little in the short run, B&N will lose a little, and in four months (!) it will all revert to normal. Although, if I bought my comics at B&N and I had to give up 16 weeks of releases because they're being childish, I'd find another shop and not return. It seems to me that comic book readers are much more committed to the content creator than they are to the distribution channel, so maybe B&N is taking a greater risk.