geographic restrictions at Fictionwise

[GreyCat]

I'll need to look around. I expect that I will have problems getting the books I want which means I will buy less ebooks. If the availability gets too bad, I will have to consider going back to paper. Since I really don't have room for more books, that means I will buy less books again. When I bought my Cybook almost two years ago I started buying a lot more books because I didn't have to worry about the space. I'll be less happy and the publishers will get less of my money. A lose/lose situation

[geertm]

Originally Posted by GreyCat

I just bought three books with geographic restrictions. Two were from the in Death serier (J. D. Robb); no problem. The last one I cannot download; Madeline Hunter The Rules of Seduction. The undownloadable book is published by Random House, Inc./Dell. The in Death books are published by Penguin Group/Putnam Adult.

What is the reason that you cannot download the Madeline Hunter book?
Do you get an error or warning? or an extra check?

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by GreyCat

I'll need to look around. I expect that I will have problems getting the books I want which means I will buy less ebooks. If the availability gets too bad, I will have to consider going back to paper. Since I really don't have room for more books, that means I will buy less books again. When I bought my Cybook almost two years ago I started buying a lot more books because I didn't have to worry about the space. I'll be less happy and the publishers will get less of my money. A lose/lose situation

I expect you are correct. The restrictions are from the publisher and the only way to buy the books you want is to find a publisher that sells to a dealer that can sell to you. Good luck.

Dale

[GeoffC]

this is a problem for the e-reader manufacturers; the more restrictions there are on purchase, and the fewer outlets; then more and more reading folk will be returning to paper with all their attendant 'problems' etc ....

[suecsi]

Greycat

What format are you buying in? As BoB has this title in 4 formats for $6.61. I have found BoB less restrictive in letting you buy from overseas. Happy to pm you with details.

[ClintBrauer]

Originally Posted by T3_reader

Clint, I noticed that your site also supports the .pdb format, making it an easy transition for many of us. Are the files on your site encrypted in a similar fashion to eReader & Fictionwise - based on the credit card number?

Another thing that I couldn't find is whether you're allowed to download a purchased book in 2 different file formats. Currently I am fine with .pdb but as some point in time, I may have to make the jump to epub.

And of course there is Geoff's question on CyberRead's policy on geographic restrictions.

eReader format is encrypted with a credit card. If you are asking if you can buy a pdb format and then "return" it for a epub in the future, the answer is "not yet". We don't have those rights from the publisher and obviously if I just gave you the book for free...I would be broke quickly.

[ClintBrauer]

Originally Posted by Direct Ebooks

Thanks Geoff C.

We are having issues with the images from our suppliers - hence the slow load. we are working on it.

We are also working on setting up our own distribution arm which will see authors and publishers getting a larger slice of the pie. I'll keep everyone posted on developments.

Gareth - I'm impressed with your approach! Good to have you in the business...

[Direct Ebooks]

Thanks Clint.

I really feel that the more open the industry is as a whole, the better for everyone. Open to providing information to customers, to change, to adapt - all of these.
To me it seems fairly simple - the more transparant and helpful we in the industry are, the more trust will be generated with readers. Which theoretically would lead to more sales.
Thats why I love this site - we can talk. create and work together to improve eBooks and ereading. (I'lll put the banner down now! )

Gareth

[markbond1007]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Yea, but.

Unauthorised copying is a civil offence.
Falsfying details is often a criminal offence, not a civil one.

Neither are right, but...

Personally I hold with "if you want my business, you have to be willing to deal with me". It is not coincidence that the vast majority of my ebooks are from Baen.

Yes but the real question is where is it illegal and who would have the right to prosecute/etc.

I mean that basically (presumably) the contract between the publisher/Fictionwise etc. would be a US contract, everyone undertaking these debatable purchases is outside of the US, given we're not talking copyright theft (you've paid for the book) and given it would be very expensive (various international agreements etc and judges rulings etc to get deportation of said alleged criminal, over a few books for which the publisher has actually been paid), legally I dont see anyone having the time/patience/money to actually do anything about it. All this assumes that the country the purchaser was in at the time obviously legally defining the purchasing location in the same way as the publisher as well. Besides as a last resort you can always plead addiction :P

The morals are obviously a different question, and Im not about to start preaching to anyone, I'll just leave it between you and your credit card ;-)


Mark

[Olympus]

Originally Posted by ClintBrauer

eReader format is encrypted with a credit card. If you are asking if you can buy a pdb format and then "return" it for a epub in the future, the answer is "not yet". We don't have those rights from the publisher and obviously if I just gave you the book for free...I would be broke quickly.

I don't understand: you have to get a contract for each format you want to sell?
That's like saying: publisher you are allowed to sell publish the contents however THOU SHALL USE ONLY 50gr unbleached paper created from the trees from Sweden and the size of the book shall be .. x .. cm.
Jeeeeeeeez you are in a business that is loosing it even more than the music industry.

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by markbond1007

Yes but the real question is where is it illegal and who would have the right to prosecute/etc.

The American government has shown a marked inclination to enforce its laws everywhere in the world. And needs no substantial reason to extradite people from the UK. Wish I was joking...

[GreyCat]

Originally Posted by geertm

What is the reason that you cannot download the Madeline Hunter book?
Do you get an error or warning? or an extra check?

I am asked to confirm with a credit card and they actually check that it's american (rather than taking my word for it as they did before...). I get the following error message: Your purchase location does not match the address for your payment type.

Anyway, I found Mark's comment interesting, I have been thinking about this issue since I couldn't download the Madeline Hunter book. I do not steal. If I can't buy a book I will not download it from a torrent site. But I have no problem with saying I'm american if that means I can buy the books I want. Anyway I don't see that the author would care one way or another as long as I pay and do not share the book...

And the addiction plea is certainly valid

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

The American government has shown a marked inclination to enforce its laws everywhere in the world. And needs no substantial reason to extradite people from the UK. Wish I was joking...

Damn self-centered, we're in charge of the world, friggin-fraggin 'mericans!

[geertm]

Originally Posted by GreyCat

I am asked to confirm with a credit card and they actually check that it's american (rather than taking my word for it as they did before...). I get the following error message: Your purchase location does not match the address for your payment type.

I have had this message one time myself. They do not check the country of your credit card, but they compare the country that you mention in the address, with the country of your ip-address.

I have bought an USA VPN account at www.alwaysvpn.com to circumvent this extra check (just $8.50).
Before you go to the payment page you activate the VPN connection. Fictionwise will than see an USA ip-adress, and you can pay for the book without a problem. You can also use the VPN when you get the extra credit card check on your bookshelf instead of the download link.
I hope this will help you to buy the book, and to keep on buying books from Fictionwise.

[GreyCat]

I've tried to use hotspot shield, but it didn't work. Is there any reason why it should work with a VPN account? Is a VPN account different?