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When they initially did the exclusivity deal with indies and some backlist authors (basically via the KDP upload system) they didn't even allow us to send out free review copies. It too WEEKS to get that resolved. They also had language forbidding excerpts other than their free sampling.
It was not their brightest moment. :>) It was resolved within a couple of months, but corporations are run by individuals. And crap is going to happen.
But in general, they try to be clever about controlling market share. The saddest part of it is that IN GENERAL they don't even have to do anything. The competition lags and doesn't try hard enough. They aren't innovating fast enough or working to figure out the market (example: B&N doesn't pay affiliates for ebooks. Thus there is no point in me or any other book site being an affiliate. Sure we can send them to buy the print copy, but you want to grow Nook? Use your affiliates to help you!)
OTOH, I think Sony is doing some things right. I don't know what they are, but I am selling more ebooks on Sony than kobobooks right now (I'd have to see if there are more sales than B&N. Not sure off the top of my head.) :>) Yeah, my world view is simple. BUT people with Sony devices are obviously loyal and happy and buying books. B&N sales are going the other direction. (I know, I know. I'm one small person, one example. But it's my world...)
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