Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf
OK, here's the thing. you say my buying eBook with DRM tells the publisher that DRM is OK to use. Now you say I can buy other then eBooks. So if I don't buy any eBooks, I'm then telling publishers that eBooks don't sell.
So what's the middle ground in this case? Do we tell publishers that eBooks don't sell or do we tell them DRM is OK?
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This is really very simple. But it depends upon not having an emotional attachment to a particular technology, in this case, ebooks.
Step 1. Decide what you would like to read
Step 2. Does it exist in ebook format? If yes, go to Step 3, if not Go to Step 4a.
Step 3. Does the ebook have DRM? If Yes, go to Step 4a. If No, go the Step 4b.
Step 4a. Buy the paper version of the book. Enjoy the Read.
Step 4B. Buy the ebook version of the book. Enjoy the Read.
Downloadable Digital music was sold before Apple created iTunes. That music had DRM. Various music stores had varying degrees of success. None of them reached critical mass due to DRM and pricing. Apple came onto the scene, selling downloadable digital music that contained DRM. It was more successful than the competition, but still did not reach critical mass. Apple then negotiated with various studios to sell non-DRM music. THAT improved things significantly. Then Apple adjusted the pricing to reflect the electronic-only nature of the product. THEN iTunes skyrocketed.
It was because of the purchasing decisions made by consumers that forced, yes forced, the music industry to provide non-DRM music.
We as consumers are faced with the same issues, but this time with ebooks. They are overpriced and they are restricted by DRM.
Companies will claim that the cost to store and distribute downloadable digital books is comparable to physical media. Many accept that as truthful.
The result: There is no incentive to bring ebook prices down to where they should be.
Companies claim that DRM on ebooks is necessary to prevent piracy (yet the music industry has managed to make money without the need for DRM). Many accept DRM or are content to strip the DRM.
The result: There is no incentive to provide non-DRM ebooks.
The challenge is greater with ebooks. Consumers are more accepting of being controlled than they were 10 years ago. They love their gadgets (ebook readers) more now than those who loved their mp3 players back then.
With every new piece of consumer electronics that is released, there are those who are attracted to the technology itself, those who are attracted to the content delivered by that technology, and some to both. Whether it is MP3s, DVDs, or ebooks, this continues to be true.