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There is no historical relationship between the publishers and the consumers. Having the distribution chain and retail chain disappear is forcing the relationship. The publishers have shown that they don't understand how to deal with consumers. They are using the tactics they understand and have used well when negotiating with authors and distributors one on one. Lots of vague statements about all the massive costs and complications involved. This works one on one but it doesn't work with consumers.
Amazon understands consumers very well and have done their market research. The publishers are making the same mistake the music business did with Apple. They've made Amazon into the bad guys trying to impose unsustainable pricing when really all they're doing is being the messenger. Based on the success they're having (proprietary business model and all) they got it right and almost two years later the publishers seem to be moving backwards.
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