I feel like an idiot

[concrete]

I just realized that ebooks kill the entire used book market.

Since I do not like this,i wonder if there is any law or precedence or eula about reselling e books.

I also understand that authors must be happy about this, so I am somewhat conflicted.

Comments

[srl]

Most ebook purchases, last I checked, were technically revokable licenses, with no reselling allowed. There's been some movement recently on enabling lending features with ebooks (Amazon/Kindle, IIRC), but that's taken a while since the first ebook readers came out.

[justinjs]

It depends on both the delivery format, DRM system used, and the license. There is nothing fundamental about the idea of digital-format books that precludes redistribution. Some publishers, of course, are happy to use technology and legal tools to minimize it. They also fear that too-easy redistribution could kill the new (digital) book market.

[cos]

The fact that your copy of the ebook still belongs the the publisher, who can revoke it, and you can't trade them, is the main reason why I have little interest in getting an ebook reader. But I suspect that tech will evolve eventually such that that level of control weakens.

[debsquared]

Sounds like we'll be transitioning to "publishing as a service" rather than book (or music) ownership. I agree-- kind of sad. I've had many wonderful days wandering through the used book bins.