Comments on: S&S and HarperCollins in U.S. refusing to sell e-book rights to British houses: Time to be more multilateral than the guy in the photo? http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:38:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-777621 David Rothman Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:35:33 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-777621 Nice homework, Mike; thanks. Of course, Carol Pinchefsky concludes: "For a good way to compare American and British art, open two windows in your web browser, one for www.amazon.com and www.amazon.co.uk, and search for your favorite authors. You may be surprised by what you see." So, yes, maybe this is something requiring a lot more samples to be scientific. CP also says American covers used brighter covers---that is indeed another factor to examine. Of course, one way or another, in terms of the main point of the post, the need for localization, you've actually helped me make my point. Just about all the covers are different! Thanks, David Nice homework, Mike; thanks. Of course, Carol Pinchefsky concludes:

“For a good way to compare American and British art, open two windows in your web browser, one for http://www.amazon.com and http://www.amazon.co.uk, and search for your favorite authors. You may be surprised by what you see.”

So, yes, maybe this is something requiring a lot more samples to be scientific.

CP also says American covers used brighter covers—that is indeed another factor to examine.

Of course, one way or another, in terms of the main point of the post, the need for localization, you’ve actually helped me make my point. Just about all the covers are different!

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Mike Cook http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-777180 Mike Cook Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:56:23 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-777180 Well I guess we can all hand-pick our own examples so I did a very quick search on both Amazon US and UK. I browsed the 'Bestsellers' section of both sites and did a quick comparison between the US and UK book covers. <strong>A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose</strong> U.S. cover is less busy <strong>Brisingr</strong> They both use the same cover. <strong>A Thousand Splendid Suns</strong> Although the covers are not the same it's also not so easy to say which is the busier. <strong>Harry Potter 7</strong> Without a doubt the U.S. cover is much quieter. <strong>The God Delusion</strong> U.S. cover is less busy <strong>The Miracle at Speedy Motors</strong> U.K. cover is less busy. <strong>Hold Tight</strong> Similar covers but perhaps U.S. cover is the least busy. Okay, so not exactly scientific research but at a quick glance it seems the U.S. goes for much quieter, less busy covers than in the U.K. :) Well I guess we can all hand-pick our own examples so I did a very quick search on both Amazon US and UK. I browsed the ‘Bestsellers’ section of both sites and did a quick comparison between the US and UK book covers.

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
U.S. cover is less busy

Brisingr
They both use the same cover.

A Thousand Splendid Suns
Although the covers are not the same it’s also not so easy to say which is the busier.

Harry Potter 7
Without a doubt the U.S. cover is much quieter.

The God Delusion
U.S. cover is less busy

The Miracle at Speedy Motors
U.K. cover is less busy.

Hold Tight
Similar covers but perhaps U.S. cover is the least busy.

Okay, so not exactly scientific research but at a quick glance it seems the U.S. goes for much quieter, less busy covers than in the U.K. :)

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-776635 David Rothman Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:58:51 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-776635 Mike, perhaps you need to take tours of US and UK Amazon stores with Carol Pinchefsky and decide which of you is right. I'd respectfully---toward both you---side with Carol. You're right about Australian sites, at least eBooks.com. I can think of other examples, too, such as <a href="http://ubibooks.com/" rel="nofollow">Ubibooks</a> in France. Let's hope that granting local rights doesn't Balkanize the market. International sites should exist for those who want them. Thanks, David Mike, perhaps you need to take tours of US and UK Amazon stores with Carol Pinchefsky and decide which of you is right. I’d respectfully—toward both you—side with Carol.

You’re right about Australian sites, at least eBooks.com. I can think of other examples, too, such as Ubibooks in France. Let’s hope that granting local rights doesn’t Balkanize the market. International sites should exist for those who want them.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Mike Cook http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-776621 Mike Cook Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:14:56 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-776621 "...many Brits go for quieter, less busy covers." Really? I've 'always' been under the impression that it's the other way round. I often felt it a shame that North Americans we're never given the opportunity to enjoy Terry Pratchett's Discworld book covers in all their glory! As for regional restrictions, David mentions Fictionwise, but non-US sites such as ebooks.com (Australia) seem not to restrict their stock either, so getting hold of eBooks is easy enough...for the moment at least! “…many Brits go for quieter, less busy covers.” Really?

I’ve ‘always’ been under the impression that it’s the other way round. I often felt it a shame that North Americans we’re never given the opportunity to enjoy Terry Pratchett’s Discworld book covers in all their glory!

As for regional restrictions, David mentions Fictionwise, but non-US sites such as ebooks.com (Australia) seem not to restrict their stock either, so getting hold of eBooks is easy enough…for the moment at least!

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-776569 David Rothman Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:26:41 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-776569 BF, I'd agree that international sales should be permitted. It's just that I don't want to see local people pushed aside. If they're doing their job with local covers and so on and charge fair prices, then they'll be competitive against the sellers from the states and so on. Thanks. David (enjoying that pseudonym---unless of course it IS your real name) BF, I’d agree that international sales should be permitted. It’s just that I don’t want to see local people pushed aside. If they’re doing their job with local covers and so on and charge fair prices, then they’ll be competitive against the sellers from the states and so on. Thanks. David (enjoying that pseudonym—unless of course it IS your real name)

]]> By: B Faulkner http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-776080 B Faulkner Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:58:17 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-776080 Those of us outside of Zone 1 hate these regional restrictions with a passion. I can't buy my French pop songs from itunes France without a French credit card, and they are not available for download in Australia. I can't buy my DRM-free obscure 80s American pop mp3s from Amazon US, and they are not available for download in Australia. If ebooks replicate these regional restrictions I will tear my hair out. So if Harper Collins is keeping the worldwide ebook rights so that it can sell the rights worldwide from the US, I am happy. Of course, there is no reason why they shouldn't ALSO be available from UK or Australian houses/sites, but I DO NOT want Harper Collins selling regionally limited ebook rights to UK houses. Regional restrictions, even indirect ones like needing a local address and credit card, are as bad as DRM for blocking the free flow of culture and commerce. Those of us outside of Zone 1 hate these regional restrictions with a passion. I can’t buy my French pop songs from itunes France without a French credit card, and they are not available for download in Australia. I can’t buy my DRM-free obscure 80s American pop mp3s from Amazon US, and they are not available for download in Australia. If ebooks replicate these regional restrictions I will tear my hair out. So if Harper Collins is keeping the worldwide ebook rights so that it can sell the rights worldwide from the US, I am happy. Of course, there is no reason why they shouldn’t ALSO be available from UK or Australian houses/sites, but I DO NOT want Harper Collins selling regionally limited ebook rights to UK houses. Regional restrictions, even indirect ones like needing a local address and credit card, are as bad as DRM for blocking the free flow of culture and commerce.

]]> By: Rob Preece http://www.teleread.org/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/comment-page-1/#comment-776041 Rob Preece Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:27:06 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/04/25/ss-and-harpercollins-in-us-refusing-to-sell-e-book-rights-to-british-houses-time-to-be-more-multilateral-than-the-guy-in-the-photo/#comment-776041 It seems to me that digital rights are virtually impossible to limit, as opposed to paper rights. As you say, Fictionwise will sell my books to someone from any country--and trying to enforce national exclusivity on digital content would be a nightmare (although I know that some distributors may try to do so, based, for example, on credit card information). If one of my authors wants to offer me US rights only, or NA rights only, I walk. Especially with the US$ so low, I'm seeing more and more international customers. Rob Preece Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com It seems to me that digital rights are virtually impossible to limit, as opposed to paper rights. As you say, Fictionwise will sell my books to someone from any country–and trying to enforce national exclusivity on digital content would be a nightmare (although I know that some distributors may try to do so, based, for example, on credit card information).

If one of my authors wants to offer me US rights only, or NA rights only, I walk. Especially with the US$ so low, I’m seeing more and more international customers.

Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com

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