Quote:
Originally Posted by mdp
You are not entitled to a DVD version only because you purchased the VHS, because the manufactured medium has an important cost. But given that the cost of producing a file is in a way negligible (`copy` / `cp` / `cat`...), in another marginal (the electronic version is part of the preproduction of the printed material, one download server/service shared by all customers may have a dwarfed cost with respect to the production of physical media), it may make sense that with the purchase of a physical copy you also get rights for a digital one.
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Or a cassette because you bought the MP3 file.
So yes:
1) There is no moral right to free additional content in a different format / media.
2) There should be no penalty for a personal format changed copy for only personal use.
3) There are technical difficulties with a free ebook download. No publisher is obliged to do it even if the technical issues are solved. IMO the only workable solution is a scratch patch on the cover that's a unique one time code. The one time download code system works. The issue is distributing it. If a book is to be scrapped, then the cover is destroyed. Also a tampered scratch patch is obvious and technically easiest place for it is the cover. Maybe on inside to avoid accidental scratch. You scratch the code and you are obligated to pay.
Obviously Online paper sales, or a POS in a bookshop linked to publisher can provide the one time code.
Conclusion:
Why should publishers go to the bother as it's a small market that wants the ebook when they buy the paper? There is no inherent right to an eBook when you buy paper.
Personally we will do it, when we figure out how.
I've bought paperbacks online and the publisher gave a download code. Possibly books from Tickety Boo press.
Amazon will do it before any of the big four do. It is four now?