http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-574...-cost-so-much/
The Big 6 apparently make less money under agency pricing than they do under the old wholesale pricing, but do it as a noble sacrifice to The Industry.
They want us to know that the costs of paper, ink, and printing are only a small part of the total price of the book, so an e-book should only be slightly less than the paper book.
But that paper book I may resell, lend, trade, have the author sign, etc.
The e-book I may read. I can let someone else read it, too, if I let them have my Kindle (e.g. my entire library).
I get fewer rights with the e-book, so I want a bigger discount. Plus, the e-book price (by law, only available "new") competes not only with the new p-book price, but also with prices for used and clearance books.