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Originally Posted by Yolina
Because they're harping on about how they don't have a contract but are nice enough to still sell those books, and use that to explain the removal of pre-orders etc.
Neither the publishers nor Amazon are nice or anyone's friends - they are businesses and so obviously just have their own interests at heart. They really need to stop behaving like whining brats (the authors too!), you know the "but they started it" and the "they did this".
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There is actually a purpose to it all. From Hatchette's point of view, they have basically preempted Amazon from playing the evil monopolistic publishers card again. They learned that lesson from last time. Amazon is a bit like Google in that they prefer to have customers think of them as the good guy. They don't particularly enjoy having their business tactics brought out in the light for everyone to see. Thus, from Hatchette's point of view, the publicity of the process works on several levels.
From Amazon's point of view, their strongest asset is the positive feeling that customers have for them. Thus, they have to try to counter any coverage that might cast them in a bad light.
IMPO, both companies are in this for the long haul. Amazon's hope was that they could strong arm Hatchette into accepting Amazon's terms during the time period that Judge Cote had decreed that the contract negotiations had to be staggered and then use that contract to strong arm the other publishers in line. That hasn't worked, but Amazon is now in a situation that they would lose a lot of face and reputation if they backed down. In addition, the bill seems to be coming due for Amazon's grab for market share and Amazon needs someone to help pick up the cost.
The publishers know that if they can't move to control the public's perception of the value of their product, then the future is going to be pretty bleak for them. So from their point of view, this is a fight for survival.
I would not be surprised if this is still going on a year from now. The longer this goes on, the more likely, IMPO, that we will see deep pocketed competition pop up in the ebook store. If that happens, then it will be very good for consumers. Strong competition always improves the product for the end consumer.