Quote:
Originally Posted by RobbieClarken
I think the fact is that most authors* don't care at all about things like geographic restrictions and DRM. I can understand why: authors* just want their royalty check and don't want anything to do with the publishing side of things (at least I wouldn't if I were an author). They rationally assume (and I think they are right) that publishers will usually maximise profit and this benefits authors - unfortunately, it can come at the expense of some consumers (especially when publishers lobby for regulations to restrict competition).
* Talking in general - as always there are exceptions and authors that contribute to MobileRead are likely to be amongst them.
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I think you are half right. I think most authors do not care about DRM and leave that decision to publishers; however, in the case of geographical restrictions, authors do care. Few authors are willing to simply give a publisher worldwide rights.
When rights are negotiated, they are negotiated for both print and electronic, not each separately. I doubt there is any mid tier or top tier publisher today who would be willing to take local print rights and no electronic rights and there are few authors who want to give that small U.K. publisher worldwide rights to both print ebooks -- each hopes to be the next JK Rowling and can realize that dream only by limiting geo rights. When their book becomes a UK phenomenon, they can auction off rights to various countries instead of being bound to the small local publisher.
Geo restrictions are a problem that will not disappear until the ebook market becomes both larger and more mature. As the publishing/sales volume tips from print to ebook, geo restrictions will also decline, but not until then. As with any creator, most authors want to maximize their chances to make money off their work, which means print not ebooks and publishing with a mid to top tier publisher.