|
I've had a response from FictionWise about this:
"There are new geographic restrictions for some ebooks, and we must now abide by them for legal reasons. Past purchases are not effected.
Fictionwise is working with our suppliers and publishers to set up a system whereby we run multiple storefronts in different countries. Once we have this system in place, we should be able to sell eBooks that have these kinds of restrictions to many more areas. We would deliver the correct country version of each such eBook in a way that makes sure the correct geographic rights holder gets paid for the eBook. That's ultimately what people care about. We are trying to make this as transparent to our customers as possible. But it is a complex problem because it deals with issues like tarifs, VAT taxes, currency conversions, and other issues involving multiple parties."
First off I would have to ask why put in the geographic limitations before the multiple store fronts. As for the "That's ultimately what people care about." sentence, why would any consumer care whether Random House UK or Random House US get the royalties when we buy a book, particularly if the difference prevents us from buying the book at all?
I'm beginning to feel this ebook stuff is a wonderful theory being messed up nicely by paranoid businesses. I can buy a printed book from amazon.com rather than amazon.co.uk, what's the difference with ebooks?
|