Discounted eBooks if you own pBook version

[PeterT]

Just saw this on Slashdot

Update Your Shelf: BitLit Offers Access To Ebook Versions of Books You Own

Cory Doctorow writes on boingboing.net "BitLit works with publishers to get you free or discounted access to digital copies of books you own in print: you use the free app for Android and iOS to take a picture of the book's copyright page with your name printed in ink, and the publisher unlocks a free or discounted ebook version. None of the Big Five publishers participate as yet, but indies like O'Reilly, Berrett-Koehler, Red Wheel Weiser, Other Press, Greystone, Coach House, Triumph, Angry Robot, Chicago Review, Dundurn, and PM Press (publishers of my book The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow) are all in."

http://www.bitlit.com/

[susan_cassidy]

Amazon does this with their Matchbook program. But, the publishers have to agree to it, and there aren't that many books eligible for it, in my experience.

[Avwriter]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Amazon does this with their Matchbook program. But, the publishers have to agree to it, and there aren't that many books eligible for it, in my experience.

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought that Amazon only does this if you originally purchased the pbook from them.

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by Avwriter

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought that Amazon only does this if you originally purchased the pbook from them.

me as well

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Avwriter

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought that Amazon only does this if you originally purchased the pbook from them.

This is correct.


University Press of Kentucky has a deal where you get a free eBook copy (PDF) if you post a pic of yourself with the book on their Tumblr page (they also participate in Match Book).

[eschwartz]

True, Amazon checks for ownership of the pbook by checking their sales history. But then again, their motivation (like everyone's) is to drive sales. It isn't good business to allow you to buy the pbook from a competitor like B&N and get the bundled-price ebook from Amazon.

BitLit seems to only do ebook bundling, and are much smaller. This is what they do, and they want to attract as many customers as possible regardless of platform.

Speaking of which, they offer DRM so this is not the publishers getting sensible or anything. They actually do offer unlocked MOBI -- I assume for books where the publisher opts out of DRM -- and even suggest calibre for transferring the book!

But they won't move a lot of Big 5 books if they use DRM which doesn't work on the number-one ereader: Kindle.

[PeterT]

What I hadn't realized until now is that BitLit has venture capital financing from Michael Serbinis, the founder and former CEO of Kobo.

See http://www.bitlit.com/blog/vancouver...nd-former-ceo/

Vancouver Startup BitLit Helps Publishers Offer Readers Bundled Print and eBooks

May 22, 2014 (VANCOUVER, BC) – BitLit, the team behind the app that allows you to get an ebook of a print book you own, has closed its seed round financing including an investment from Three Angels Capital, the venture fund recently started by Michael Serbinis, the founder and former CEO of Kobo.

Serbinis notes that “Three Angels Capital was founded in 2014 to invest in world class teams looking to disrupt markets and change the world. As books go digital it’s clear that people continue to enjoy reading in print. With BitLit you can enjoy the convenience of an ebook, with the comfort of reading the print edition at home – a huge benefit for book lovers.”
...

[GERGE]

What will they do about the libraries? This system could easily be abused.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by GERGE

What will they do about the libraries? This system could easily be abused.

I'm thinking most libraries might get a bit irritated with you if you write your name on the copyright page in ink.

[GERGE]

There are inks you can delete.

[avantman42]

This system could be abused, as could the University of Kentucky's system. But then, if you want an ebook, don't want to pay for it, and are willing to break the rules to get it, there are already plenty of options.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by avantman42

This system could be abused, as could the University of Kentucky's system. But then, if you want an ebook, don't want to pay for it, and are willing to break the rules to get it, there are already plenty of options.

Most of which are easier than disappearing ink, and which don't require you to pay anything!

[drjenkins]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

I'm thinking most libraries might get a bit irritated with you if you write your name on the copyright page in ink.

Thank goodness there isn't a program that would allow you to Photoshop your signature onto a photo of the copyright page.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by drjenkins

Thank goodness there isn't a program that would allow you to Photoshop your signature onto a photo of the copyright page.

But... but... but... no one would be that dishonest!!!

Disappearing ink, on the other hand, is a very likely danger.

[auspex]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But... but... but... no one would be that dishonest!!!

Disappearing ink, on the other hand, is a very likely danger.

LOL. I doubt there actually IS a program yet that could photoshop your signature onto the copyright page: I think you have to take the photo with the BitLit app, though I suppose you could just use BitLit to take a shot of the photoshopped picture. That would be kind of obvious to any human eye looking at the picture, though. Still, I would expect someone to figure a way around it.

Still, I saw "free or cheap". I'm not paying again for the thousand books I know I can find e-copies for, but I'll see if any are available free.

fwiw, pencil is easier than disappearing ink.