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Apple didn't have to give away webkit....but they did. They didn't have to use open source, but they did.
And Apple participates and supports the open epub standard.
Apple does both open and proprietary products. Right now, the iBooks are proprietary. This is common. Even open source companies make sure they hold important elements back for themselves so they have a reason for folks to pay them.
And you are right, school systems are going to consider the proprietary format as a negative. All Apple's competitors need to do....is do better, or even "close enough". Apple has left that door open by their choice.
Amazon is doing better, far better, at selling novels. Interestingly...it's doing better and yet it's NOT supporting or participating in the open epub standard.
If a company can secure a leading advantage, they will go it alone. If they are an "also ran" trying to break into a market, they'll join up with others to be "open". Both are simply competitive tactics with no "goodness" associated with them. It is not good or bad inherently.
The market will decide.
Lee
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