Quote:
Originally Posted by usuallee
And yet the digital realm is a different beast. I think the key component in selling used is to make sure the original owner really does reliquish the file. With the "tools' that are out there, I don't know that that's possible. So I agree with Harry T that if not done properly (which may well be impossible), a used market could harm primary content creators and the "new" market.
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Let me stress that I'm not talking about piracy, although I agree that this is an important issue also.
The specific thing which differentiates a digital product from a physical one is the fact that the digital product doesn't degrade as the physical one does: a second-hand ebook or MP3 file is absolutely identical to the original in every way. Thus, given the choice between buying a "new" eBook for, say, $5, and a "2nd hand" one for $3, there would be no reason - ever - to buy the new one. Thus, to my mind, the mere existence of 2nd hand digital goods would instantly destroy the market for new goods, and that's bad for the consumer in the long term. I honestly don't see how any form of creative marketing could overcome this.