Barnes & Noble contract clause

acitore · 09-22-2015, 02:33 PM

I was reading the fine print on the B&N Terms & Conditions and found this statement which really surprised me.

K. Retail Store Privileges. You acknowledge and agree that Barnes & Noble may make available to customers of retail stores operated by Barnes & Noble, its affiliates, distributors, licensees and partners one hundred percent (100%) of your eBook for viewing while within the reach of such retail stores’ wireless networks.

I don't want to start a long thread about contract clauses of KDP and all the others - that's not the intention. But this clause isn't in the other companies' contracts and quite frankly seems ridiculous. Why sell the book if it's going to be exploited under a clause? I find it hard to believe that anyone would go along with it.

Cinisajoy · 09-22-2015, 02:41 PM

You are probably one of the few that read the entire contract.
Now that clause means if someone wants to sit in a B&N, they can read any book that B&N offers.

Calenorn · 09-22-2015, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

You are probably one of the few that read the entire contract.
Now that clause means if someone wants to sit in a B&N, they can read any book that B&N offers.

But, if I recall correctly, only for one hour in any particular book.

Cinisajoy · 09-22-2015, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calenorn

But, if I recall correctly, only for one hour in any particular book.

I was under the impression that if you wanted to sit there all day, you could read whatever book you choose.

Now some stores do limit their wifi time to one or two hours a session.

AnemicOak · 09-22-2015, 03:18 PM

It's an hour an hour each day.

eschwartz · 09-22-2015, 03:30 PM

Barnes & Noble is (still) primarily a paper bookseller -- although they are *trying* to replace that with toys.

People have always been able to browse B&M bookstores and read the books there without paying for them, so the Nook is designed to imitate that capability in order to appeal to longtime paper book readers who are visiting a B&N with their Nook device.

I guess that isn't limited to books with a paper edition.

Calenorn · 09-22-2015, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Barnes & Noble is (still) primarily a paper bookseller -- although they are *trying* to replace that with toys.

People have always been able to browse B&M bookstores and read the books there without paying for them, so the Nook is designed to imitate that capability in order to appeal to longtime paper book readers who are visiting a B&N with their Nook device.

I guess that isn't limited to books with a paper edition.

Plus, if you come in every day to read for an hour, they might sell you a lot of coffee. It's Starbooks!

acitore · 09-22-2015, 04:01 PM

Yes, Wizard, you have a point. That's the way American book stores are set up - come and read for free. From that point, there's no difference (actually less since many people will sit in the bookstore for hours) my post is rather null and void. Thus I return you all to your regularly scheduled programming.
P.S. If you don't read the fine print, you can't complain when you get screwed.

Dazrin · 09-22-2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

It's an hour an hour each day.

That appears to be the agreement on the Nook (or an app?) when you connect to the wireless network but the clause in the contract is separate from that so without any changes to the author agreement B&N could give unlimited access to the book. I could see B&N charging a small fee to have unlimited access within a store lounge / coffee shop or even a monthly / yearly unlimited subscription for something like that in which case, unless there is a separate clause somewhere, the author wouldn't need to be reimbursed even though B&N is selling the access.

Cinisajoy · 09-22-2015, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

That appears to be the agreement on the Nook (or an app?) when you connect to the wireless network but the clause in the contract is separate from that so without any changes to the author agreement B&N could give unlimited access to the book. I could see B&N charging a small fee to have unlimited access within a store lounge / coffee shop or even a monthly / yearly unlimited subscription for something like that in which case, unless there is a separate clause somewhere, the author wouldn't need to be reimbursed even though B&N is selling the access.

They do have a fee. It's called coffee.

AnemicOak · 09-22-2015, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

That appears to be the agreement on the Nook (or an app?) when you connect to the wireless network but the clause in the contract is separate from that so without any changes to the author agreement B&N could give unlimited access to the book. I could see B&N charging a small fee to have unlimited access within a store lounge / coffee shop or even a monthly / yearly unlimited subscription for something like that in which case, unless there is a separate clause somewhere, the author wouldn't need to be reimbursed even though B&N is selling the access.

Absolutely possible. My comment had to do with how things stand right now.

09-22-2015, 02:33 PM	#1
acitore Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: on the road Device: none	Barnes & Noble contract clause I was reading the fine print on the B&N Terms & Conditions and found this statement which really surprised me. K. Retail Store Privileges. You acknowledge and agree that Barnes & Noble may make available to customers of retail stores operated by Barnes & Noble, its affiliates, distributors, licensees and partners one hundred percent (100%) of your eBook for viewing while within the reach of such retail stores’ wireless networks. I don't want to start a long thread about contract clauses of KDP and all the others - that's not the intention. But this clause isn't in the other companies' contracts and quite frankly seems ridiculous. Why sell the book if it's going to be exploited under a clause? I find it hard to believe that anyone would go along with it.

09-22-2015, 03:18 PM	#5
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	It's an hour an hour each day. Attached Thumbnails

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09-22-2015, 02:41 PM	#2
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	You are probably one of the few that read the entire contract. Now that clause means if someone wants to sit in a B&N, they can read any book that B&N offers.

09-22-2015, 03:30 PM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Barnes & Noble is (still) primarily a paper bookseller -- although they are trying to replace that with toys. People have always been able to browse B&M bookstores and read the books there without paying for them, so the Nook is designed to imitate that capability in order to appeal to longtime paper book readers who are visiting a B&N with their Nook device. I guess that isn't limited to books with a paper edition.

09-22-2015, 04:01 PM	#8
acitore Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: on the road Device: none	Yes, Wizard, you have a point. That's the way American book stores are set up - come and read for free. From that point, there's no difference (actually less since many people will sit in the bookstore for hours) my post is rather null and void. Thus I return you all to your regularly scheduled programming. P.S. If you don't read the fine print, you can't complain when you get screwed.

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