What's more, "As e-books grow as a category, there will be cannibalization," Epps says.
"The early adopter buying an e-reader device happens to be the same customer who would have bought a hardcover book."
Judging from the reaction on this (and other forums), and IMHO, this is bass ackwards reasoning. I bought an ereader to STOP buying physical books - esp. hardcover books. So my response is:
1. I can wait - my reader has enough books for the rest of my life. (I plan to be buried with mine, with a drop cord for power & light).
2. I know how to troll the darker sections of the web for timely digital editions of much-wanted books.
3. If I have to wait 4-6 months, I'll either probably forget about the book or spend my money on a book I can buy instantly in ebook form.
4. I will never buy a hardcover again from any publisher that tries to blackmail/extort money out of me.