Whatever benefits an e-book might have over its print counterpart, and no matter how close digital media gets to ink-on-paper, there is one thing that downloaded copy of Moby Dick can’t offer to some readers: The collectable factor. [More]
e-books
Google’s Settlement With Group Of Publishers Means You Can Read More Before You Buy
It’s taken all of seven years and plenty of time in court, but Google and a group of publishers have finally reached an out-of-court settlement to resolve a dispute over the digitization of books for the Google Library Project. What does that mean? Hopefully that longer samples of books will be available in Google Play before consumers have to decide whether or not to buy it. [More]
Washington State Consumers To Get $2 Million In E-Book Price Fixing Settlement
One of the first settlement amounts to be announced in a nationwide agreement between various states and a group of three of the country’s largest book publishers comes today, as Washington state says e-book consumers will receive $2 million over allegations of e-book price fixing. [More]
Soon Your Child Might Prefer A Bedtime E-Book Instead Of That Old Paper Thing
The ritual of a bedtime story is a sacred one for many parents and their children — letting the kids turn the pages, pointing out colorful characters and enjoying the stories together. But while plenty of parents love the tradition of a paper book, e-books are gaining on physical books. [More]
Judge Cites Steve Jobs' Own Words In Refusing Dismissal Of E-Book Suit
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ words came back to haunt the electronics company today. Its attempt to have a judge dismiss charges of e-book price-fixing were refused, in part because of things Jobs said during his time with Apple. [More]
Amazon Reportedly Set To Introduce Front-Lit Kindle In July
Since the introduction of the iPad, e-book fans have generally fallen into two camps — those who prefer the E Ink technology in Kindles and Nooks because it causes less eye strain and uses relatively low battery power; and those who prefer the backlit screens of tablet computers, which allow them to read without the need for a secondary light source. The Nook has come up with one possible solution, and now Amazon is reportedly set to launch a Kindle that would use a front-lit system to allow people to read in the dark. [More]
Apple Willing To Stand Trial On E-Book Price-Fixing Allegations
Even though three of the publishers accused of colluding with Apple to fix prices on e-books have already settled with the Dept. of Justice, the electronics giant continues to assert its innocence and wants the opportunity to answer the charges in court. [More]
Apple Insists They're Totally Not Fixing Any E-Book Prices
In the midst of a lawsuit from the Department of Justice, Apple is all, “What? Who? Us? Price fixing e-books? No! Never!” They issued a statement saying they weren’t involved in conspiring with major publishers to set the price of e-books in an agency model, and that anyway, agency models are a benefit to the industry. [More]
DOJ Agrees On E-Book Price-Fixing Settlement With Three Publishers
Only hours after filing suit against Apple and six book publishers over allegations of e-book price-fixing, the Justice Dept. said has agreed on settlement terms with three of those publishing companies — HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette. [More]
U.S. Officially Levels E-Book Price Fixing Complaint Against Apple & Publishers
UPDATE: The DOJ has announced settlement terms with three of the six publisher named in the lawsuit.
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DOJ Reportedly Close To Deal That Would Lower E-Book Prices
Ever since Apple got into the e-book business, publishers have been determining their own prices for titles, meaning that e-books, in spite of having minimal overhead costs, are often sold for higher prices than their print counterparts. But it looks like the Justice Dept. antitrust investigation into this so-called “agency pricing” model is nearing an end — and may result in more affordable e-books for everyone. [More]
E-Book Users Reading More Material Than Their Print Book Counterparts
E-books are easy to carry and make shopping for books an anytime, anywhere kind of experience. Which is why new research that says reading habits are speeding up among those using e-readers makes sense. In fact, they tend to read more often than those who read strictly print material, including books, magazines and news articles. [More]
Harry Potter Series Arrives In E-Book Format To The Delight Of Wannabe Wizards
Perhaps lugging around a thick paper copy of any of the seven books in the Harry Potter series has deterred you from indulging in a re-read, or even attempting a first go at the books. But starting today, J.K. Rowling’s novels involving the world of wizards are available in e-book format. [More]
PayPal Changes Its Mind, Decides You Can Use It To Buy Erotic E-Books
On the eve of its first match in this year’s Worst Company In America tournament, PayPal has changed its relatively new policy that would have forbidden the service’s use in the purchasing of e-books detailing certain sexual acts and behaviors. [More]
Justice Department Warns Apple, E-Book Publishers: We'll Sue You
The U.S. Justice Department is inching closer to legal action against Apple and five e-book publishers who are reportedly pricing books under an “agency model” that isn’t the greatest for consumers. The government is threatening to take legal action if the issue isn’t resolved soon. [More]