"eBook versions of owned paper books" Popular Front

braver · 09-30-2009, 01:31 AM

I've posted in in the Kindle forum, then realized it applies across the board.

Over the last 10 years, I've bought thousands of dollars worth of books on Amazon. Now that I've got the Kindle, I thought I'd be able to upgrade some of the heavier and more used ones to digital.

Alas, the "digital upgrade" feature only allows you to read page images on the Web.

To my request for Kindle versions of the books I own, when available, Amazon replied that currently they "don't have plans" to provide such.

I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee -- sharing the OCR and distribution costs, as well as transfer. Heck, I'd pay $5. Max. OK, $10... for some.

Now this won't happen unless we all self-organize and enlist journalists and congressmen in order for this to happen. In fact it applies to the whole ebook arena. What do you guys think? What is already done or being done on this front?

darylbrayman · 09-30-2009, 01:43 AM

[QUOTE=braver;610373]
I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee -- sharing the OCR and distribution costs, as well as transfer. Heck, I'd pay $5. Max. OK, $10... for some. QUOTE]

Let me know how you make out. I can't wait to get in touch with iTunes and tell them since I own the Beatles White album on eight track I'd like the MP3 version for free or only a nominal fee.

Regards, Daryl

doreenjoy · 09-30-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braver

I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee.

I'm not seeing the logic of this argument.

I have mass-market books I've bought; that doesn't entitle me to hardback versions or large print editions of the same books.

I have CDs I've purchased; that doesn't entitle me to free or low cost MP3s of the same songs.

braver · 09-30-2009, 02:54 AM

The contents is the same, and the fact that you don't think you're entitled to it in all possible shapes means you're still in the 20th century, or are a perfect customer for RIAA and the like, or both.

The 21st century model should be, you buy content at a certain a level of quality, and then are entitled to it in all media forms.

Why would one have to re-buy a book in an incompatible format? Why would one have to re-buy a song he owns on iTunes for some other format?

Amazon has a way to prove that you bought the paper book, convey it to the publisher, and deliver you an ebook for less.

Pragmatic Programmers and Manning and O'Reilly do it on their own for computer books, although in different ways, and it should be encouraged and standardized.

darylbrayman · 09-30-2009, 03:22 AM

I agree that it makes sense, but imagine this senerio. I get Dan Browns newest book (can't imagine why I would) wrap it up and send it to a deserving family member (one who has a birthday upcoming:-) Then turn around and get my ebook version. I realise I could have read the original before I sent it, but that's tacky and they would know. Just my thoughts on the subject.

Regards, Daryl

braver · 09-30-2009, 03:32 AM

I don't see a problem with gifting Dan Brown (composting would work too in that specific case) and getting a Kindle version for $1. Publisher just made $.50 or so.

braver · 09-30-2009, 03:35 AM

About 8-track tapes, betamax, etc., -- this all predates Amazon. There's no cheap -- almost free and immediate -- way to verify ownership of content in brick-and-mortar format.

On Amazon, bn.com, and other Internet stores, you finally can consolidate all your holdings and DEMAND the same content on all media! Sure, let's pay $1 or $5 for a different one. But Amazon and B&N will *have to* come around to this model in order to compete, IMHO.

mores · 09-30-2009, 03:48 AM

I'd like to think so too, but it just won't work.

I can't make amazon give me MP3s in exchange for my CDs. I have to do this myself.
You, too, can do this yourself. Buy a scanner and digitize your books.

bavardage · 09-30-2009, 04:57 AM

Which is illegal in the UK

<3 copyright law.

K-Thom · 09-30-2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee -- sharing the OCR and distribution costs, as well as transfer. Heck, I'd pay $5. Max. OK, $10... for some.

Does it occur to you that the publisher of the printed version and the digital version may be two different companies in some cases? So why should publisher B give you something for free you paid publisher A for?

Quote:

The 21st century model should be, you buy content at a certain a level of quality, and then are entitled to it in all media forms.

Nice, maybe it'll be the next amendment to the Constitution ...

Quote:

Which is illegal in the UK

Which isn't in Germany, as long as the copy is for your private use only.

Crowl · 09-30-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braver

The 21st century model should be, you buy content at a certain a level of quality, and then are entitled to it in all media forms.

Using this logic, amazon should ship out a paperback version of every book you buy as a hardback since surely hardback prices should exceed that threshold if anything does.

As people have mentioned already, you can gift, compost or sell the original book even if it does show as a purchase and if you choose that latter option then you could practically get your books for free with negligible gain for the publisher and author because they would have lost the paper book sale due to you selling that secondhand.

PennyPie · 09-30-2009, 05:55 AM

Quote:

The 21st century model should be, you buy content at a certain a level of quality, and then are entitled to it in all media forms.

Great word...ENTITLED. What are you ENTITLED to? As Americans, (if u happen to be in the US) life liberty & the pursuit of happiness? That word implies a God Given Right to something. Younger folks (Typically) have a skewed notion of what they are ENTITLED to. Gimme, gimme, gimME!

We also have this concept of Free Enterprise....I work hard to make money, so I can buy stuff!!! Companies are ENTITLED (ahem) to charge you for their 'stuff'!!! People like you and me work for them...we need those jobs for all that stuff we buy!!

Quote:

Does it occur to you that the publisher of the printed version and the digital version may be two different companies in some cases? So why should publisher B give you something for free you paid publisher A for?

Yep....ya probably should think these things thru a little more.

Quote:

Now this won't happen unless we all self-organize and enlist journalists and congressmen in order for this to happen. In fact it applies to the whole ebook arena. What do you guys think? What is already done or being done on this front

No "front"....it's a non-issue....no Pete Seeger singing a Woody Guthrie song about solidarity, unite-ing, organizing.

Crowl · 09-30-2009, 06:01 AM

While the initial premise is somewhat unrealistic, you do have to wonder why more publishers don't try and do things like bundle special hardback editions along with the ebook version, its something that would require dedicated fans to make it worth it, but then again so would any kind of limited edition you would think.

mores · 09-30-2009, 07:38 AM

Because the user could then resell the hardcover book, probably for as much as they sell in stores, and keep the ebook. It'd be like selling 2 books for the price of one ... who needs 2 books?

I mean, it would be amazing, but I highly doubt that this will happen.

Abecedary · 09-30-2009, 08:04 AM

And people say this generation doesn't have an over-inflated sense of entitlement...

09-30-2009, 01:31 AM	#1
braver Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 86 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle DX	"eBook versions of owned paper books" Popular Front I've posted in in the Kindle forum, then realized it applies across the board. Over the last 10 years, I've bought thousands of dollars worth of books on Amazon. Now that I've got the Kindle, I thought I'd be able to upgrade some of the heavier and more used ones to digital. Alas, the "digital upgrade" feature only allows you to read page images on the Web. To my request for Kindle versions of the books I own, when available, Amazon replied that currently they "don't have plans" to provide such. I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee -- sharing the OCR and distribution costs, as well as transfer. Heck, I'd pay $5. Max. OK, $10... for some. Now this won't happen unless we all self-organize and enlist journalists and congressmen in order for this to happen. In fact it applies to the whole ebook arena. What do you guys think? What is already done or being done on this front?

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09-30-2009, 01:43 AM	#2
darylbrayman Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 1944308 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Device: Kobo, Mini, Glo, Aura and Aura H20	[QUOTE=braver;610373] I believe that as owners of paper books, we have every right to get the Kindle versions for free or only a nominal fee -- sharing the OCR and distribution costs, as well as transfer. Heck, I'd pay $5. Max. OK, $10... for some. QUOTE] Let me know how you make out. I can't wait to get in touch with iTunes and tell them since I own the Beatles White album on eight track I'd like the MP3 version for free or only a nominal fee. Regards, Daryl

09-30-2009, 02:54 AM	#4
braver Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 86 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle DX	The contents is the same, and the fact that you don't think you're entitled to it in all possible shapes means you're still in the 20th century, or are a perfect customer for RIAA and the like, or both. The 21st century model should be, you buy content at a certain a level of quality, and then are entitled to it in all media forms. Why would one have to re-buy a book in an incompatible format? Why would one have to re-buy a song he owns on iTunes for some other format? Amazon has a way to prove that you bought the paper book, convey it to the publisher, and deliver you an ebook for less. Pragmatic Programmers and Manning and O'Reilly do it on their own for computer books, although in different ways, and it should be encouraged and standardized.

09-30-2009, 03:22 AM	#5
darylbrayman Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 1944308 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Device: Kobo, Mini, Glo, Aura and Aura H20	I agree that it makes sense, but imagine this senerio. I get Dan Browns newest book (can't imagine why I would) wrap it up and send it to a deserving family member (one who has a birthday upcoming:-) Then turn around and get my ebook version. I realise I could have read the original before I sent it, but that's tacky and they would know. Just my thoughts on the subject. Regards, Daryl

09-30-2009, 03:32 AM	#6
braver Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 86 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle DX	I don't see a problem with gifting Dan Brown (composting would work too in that specific case) and getting a Kindle version for $1. Publisher just made $.50 or so.

09-30-2009, 03:35 AM	#7
braver Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 86 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle DX	About 8-track tapes, betamax, etc., -- this all predates Amazon. There's no cheap -- almost free and immediate -- way to verify ownership of content in brick-and-mortar format. On Amazon, bn.com, and other Internet stores, you finally can consolidate all your holdings and DEMAND the same content on all media! Sure, let's pay $1 or $5 for a different one. But Amazon and B&N will have to come around to this model in order to compete, IMHO.

09-30-2009, 03:48 AM	#8
mores Guru Posts: 834 Karma: 102419 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vienna, Austria Device: iPhone	I'd like to think so too, but it just won't work. I can't make amazon give me MP3s in exchange for my CDs. I have to do this myself. You, too, can do this yourself. Buy a scanner and digitize your books.

09-30-2009, 04:57 AM	#9
bavardage Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: none	Which is illegal in the UK <3 copyright law.

09-30-2009, 06:01 AM	#13
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	While the initial premise is somewhat unrealistic, you do have to wonder why more publishers don't try and do things like bundle special hardback editions along with the ebook version, its something that would require dedicated fans to make it worth it, but then again so would any kind of limited edition you would think.

09-30-2009, 07:38 AM	#14
mores Guru Posts: 834 Karma: 102419 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vienna, Austria Device: iPhone	Because the user could then resell the hardcover book, probably for as much as they sell in stores, and keep the ebook. It'd be like selling 2 books for the price of one ... who needs 2 books? I mean, it would be amazing, but I highly doubt that this will happen.

09-30-2009, 08:04 AM	#15
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	And people say this generation doesn't have an over-inflated sense of entitlement...

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