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Originally Posted by Joykins
I'm thinking the USB process makes it harder to crack DRM and harder for Amazon to get as much of your reading data (for syncing etc.).
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Well in a meeting with the ALA the publishers said one issue they had with e-book lending was that there was not enough "friction" in the transaction compared to paper book lending. This USB deal may be their way of trying to add some friction.
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A key issue that arose in each meeting is the degree to which “friction” may decline in the ebook lending transaction as compared to lending print books. From the publisher viewpoint, this friction provides some measure of security. Borrowing a print book from a library involves a nontrivial amount of personal work that often involves two trips—one to pick up the book and one to return it. The online availability of ebooks alters this friction calculation, and publishers are concerned that the ready download-ability of library ebooks could have an adverse effect on sales.
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