[Soldim]

Originally Posted by petermillard

And they don't do that either! As has been discussed at length on this thread and others, you can distribute your iBA-created book any way you like - it's only if you want to sell it that you have to do so through the iBookStore.

That last part is what one generally defines as exclusive distributorship.

Now, I'm not a writer, a publisher or a lawyer, but my guess is that if you were absolutely determined not to pay Apple's 30% commission, then there are (probably) ways around this that are as old as the hills and likely familiar to anyone who's ever attended a school or church function e.g. giving the book away for 'free' when you buy the <insert piece of cheap tat here> is one that springs to mind.

That is, from a legal point of view, rather tricky. If the product is commercially successful, Apple has quite a reasonable chance to sound convincing when arguing that the product that is actually being sold is the iBA created book.

But quite why anyone would do that is a mystery to me, I'm afraid; if I'd taken the time and trouble to create a wizzy interactive book with flashy graphics, video etc.., that only runs on one device (iPad) on one platform (iOS) then why on earth would I avoid the one method of distribution (iBookStore) that's on every device on that platform?

By all means, sell through your own website if that's what you want to do - but I think you'll need to be risking a lot more than 30% of sales just to promote and advertise your wares.

There's two relatively obvious reasons. First, the way the EULA is worded, a separate agreement will have to be drafted -- Apple could push up their cut to any percentage they'd like. Worse is, they have the freedom to refuse to sell the book, in which case the author is stuck since there would not be any way to make revenue from a book.
The iBA could be used to make, eh, lets say spectacular, versions of the Kamasutra. I doubt Apple will put it up. For way less clear cut cases Apple has made curious decisions.