Quote:
Originally Posted by Jellby
I just don't see the link between TTS and audiobooks... not until technology is improved beyond my expectations.
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I felt that way too, at first. Then, as I learned more about it--partly by talking to the head of the AG myself--I realized that there are two issues involved:
1. The technology
will improve, and the day may come when TTS really does infringe (in a way that's meaningful to the average person) on licenses that are reserved for true audio performances. At that point, it would be much more difficult to draw a line in the sand.
2. There may well be infringement right now on technical rights that are currently spelled out in book contracts, involving sound or audible versions of books. I consider it a safe bet that Amazon would not have pulled back on what was a great marketing stroke if they didn't see genuine legal issues in front of them. They tried to make it sound as though they just wanted rights-holders to feel "comfortable," but unless Amazon has had a personality transplant, that's a load of dingoes' kidneys.
The merits of all of this are clearly debatable. But it's a discussion that needs to take place--and would not have without the AG actions.