Kindle & Library Books

[asjogren]

I would love to see an agreement between Overdrive and Amazon. I envision a server-to-server interface and a checkout option "Send to Kindle".

Amazon could then format shift (MobiPocket and ePub) if needed and encrypt with their own and set the expiration exactly as if Overdrive handled the transaction entirely. Delivery by Whispernet could be an add on charge. Encrypted PDF would require extra software on Kindle and it's software only clones.

Why would Amazon do this? Market share. And customer satisfaction. And it sets the stage for what I believe to be the next wave - eBook rental.

[Mickey330]

Originally Posted by asjogren

...[snip some good bits to show only this]... And it sets the stage for what I believe to be the next wave - eBook rental.

Which is the same thought(s) I've been having. I mean, why can't Amazon start their own book rental system?

They wouldn't have to go through Overdrive, either. Just make a deal with the publisher to pay a certain amount for each ebook rented (that they'd add a bit to before charging the customer).

I'm sure they have the ability/technology.

Marilyn

[tlc]

Originally Posted by Mickey330

Which is the same thought(s) I've been having. I mean, why can't Amazon start their own book rental system?

Because it would be less money for them? This would never happen unless competition forced it.

[tomsem]

A subscription model like Netflix might work better for Amazon. Steady stream of income, driven by a single purchase decision rather than one for each book, etc.

They could have '1 at a time' '2 at a time' plans. When you are done with a rental book and remove it from the device, the next one in your queue arrives. Publisher is paid on pro rated basis (how long their book was on the device). Obviously publishers would have to opt in (assuming they have the rights in the first place and don't need to go back to the author to negotiate them), and it would only be successful if enough of them did.

One of things I don't understand about Overdrive and similar systems is why they go out of their way to pretend that digital assets are physical assets, and therefore limited. So libraries have to 'make a selection' of the available media. And they can offer only a limited number of each to borrowers: "sorry, that item is out on loan, you'll have to wait until it comes back". It is digital, it doesn't cost anything to make copies, you just need to track the period of time it is on loan and bill accordingly. The limited resource is the library budget, not the number of copies that can exist. But it seems this must be a requirement of the libraries, rather than of the technology.

Be that as it may, in any Amazon/Overdrive agreement, Amazon just needs to license their DRM (and update Kindle to understand and enforce term-limited licensing), which would provide Amazon with a revenue stream (less money? not necessarily). Amazon would not provide the content: Overdrive negotiates their own agreements with publishers, and is fully capable of rendering Kindle format (they already do MobiPocket format which is essentially the same, and which Amazon owns). The content could arrive on Kindle via whispernet if the patron/customer authorized an email address for doing so (and they'd pay ensuing delivery charges) or they could download the ebook from the library site and copy over to the Kindle. Overdrive already provides mobipocket format, so there's not much technically that has to be invented to support all this. The fact that such an agreement is not in place reflects Amazon's priorities more than anything - they can only move forward on so many fronts, as they are actually trying to make money while they are at it.

I would not be surprised to see this show up in the next year or so. It's one of the few feature 'checkboxes' that is not filled in for Kindle, and public libraries should support the best-selling reading device. After all, Kindle owners pay taxes, too.

[PaulGuy]

Originally Posted by Tinks

Barnes & Noble is in the market to sell me books as well. I think they realize though, that buying an ereader without Overdrive capabilities will not make me any more likely to buy more books from them versus an ereader that does have Overdrive. If I bought an ereader that I couldn't check digital library books out on, I would just read the book on my computer for free. I guess what I'm trying to say is I would buy the same amount of books on the Kindle as I would, say on the Nook, regardless of whether Overdrive was on it. So at least B&N(or whoever supports Overdrive) is getting a profit from me buying the ereader, and whatever books I do decide to purchase.

Let's see who lasts longer, Amazon or B&N.

[laurie_lu]

Originally Posted by tomsem

A subscription model like Netflix might work better for Amazon. Steady stream of income, driven by a single purchase decision rather than one for each book, etc.

They could have '1 at a time' '2 at a time' plans. When you are done with a rental book and remove it from the device, the next one in your queue arrives.

I have often thought a Netflix-like book rental service would be an excellent idea. I'm am the type of person who never buys DVD movies. Nor do I watch a movie more than once. Same goes for books. A Netflix-like service would be perfect for someone like me.