ENTRIES TAGGED "libraries"
Publishing News: The piracy debate may well be irrelevant in the future of publishing
"Artisan authors" move beyond the piracy "problem," libraries of books become libraries of knowledge, and newspapers have space for rent.
Here are a few stories from the publishing space that caught my attention this week.
Authors may leave publishers behind to wallow in piracy concerns
The publishing industry’s issues with piracy may become a problem of the past, Damien Walter observed at The Guardian this week. Walter looks at a newly emerging “artisan author,” an author for whom “self-publishing is a preference and file-sharing is an opportunity.”
Publishing News: Ownshelf tests ebook lending waters
A Dropbox-style ebook lending startup, the importance of libraries in publishing's fragile ecosystem, and 37Signals' responsive text editing.
Here are a few stories from the publishing space that caught my attention this week.
The complex world of copyright, licensing, and piracy
Bill Rosenblatt untangles several thorny areas of IP distribution and ownership
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Our TOC theme this month is “legal” and I thought it would be interesting to have a conversation with Bill Rosenblatt covering a variety of topics in the legal realm. Bill is a recognized authority on intellectual property in the online world. He’s also an author of the Copyright and Technology blog as well as the founder of GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies.
Key points from the interview include:
- Copyright vs. Creative Commons — As Bill says, “copyright law is a huge mess”, and Creative Commons (CC) is a viable alternative. CC has never fully embraced the commercial content community though. CC also doesn’t really make enforcement of IP ownership any easier.
- Libraries and sales vs. licensing — I feel our industry is overcomplicating the library channel situation but Bill explains how digital content isn’t subject to copyright but rather to whatever licensing terms are being offered. Bill feels libraries are “screwed” unless there’s a change in the law. It doesn’t help that libraries aren’t accustomed to trying to operate like businesses.
- First-sale doctrine — ReDigi is a great example of a company that’s pushing the envelope on sale vs. licensing of content. Bill feels it’s unlikely ReDigi will prevail in the current litigation to resell digital music. (See related TOC article here.)
- Piracy — Bill points out that obscurity is indeed a bigger problem than piracy…until you become famous. He asserts that Lady Gaga doesn’t benefit from piracy but I’m not sure I agree. After all, maybe future paying Gaga fans start off pirating a song or two before they get hooked.
This post is part of the TOC podcast series. You can also subscribe to the free TOC podcast through iTunes.
Publishing News: Penguin goes back to the library
Penguin and library lending, ebook cost accounting, and Knight News Challenge winners.
Two NYC libraries will get Penguin books, ebooks often cost more to make than publishers earn, and one news startup addresses shrinking resources with editorial analytics.
Publishing News: Ereader ownership doubles, again
Two surveys bode well for digital publishing, HMH teams with Amazon, and books aren't the library's only game.
One survey said ereader and tablet ownership doubled during the holidays; a second showed that Amazon may not be losing money on its Kindle Fire sales. Also, Amazon got a new print edition distributor and the library discussion elevated beyond ebooks.
Tools of Change for Publishing Newsletter: January 11, 2012
Five things that shaped publishing in 2011, Louis CK's download experiment, DRM-free as a competitive advantage.
We take a look at the five things that shaped publishing in 2011 (many of which will shape the industry in 2012 as well). Plus, how service and ease of use can trump piracy.
Publishing News: Week in Review
HarperCollins outraged librarians, publishers get creative with distribution, and digital authors need new skills.
In the latest Publishing News: HarperCollins capped titles for libraries; publishers are tapping non-traditional outlets for distribution; and Dana Newman schools authors on how to embrace the e-pocalypse.
Bookish Techy Week in Review
Lit mags return; libraries and publishers can't figure out e-lending; ebooks headed to NYT list; and David Pogue likes the Galaxy.
In the latest Bookish Techy Week in Review: Safran Foer's latest book is a true work of art; literary magazines are making a webby comeback; Jay-Z's memoir takes pre-pub publicity to new heights; and Richard Nash's Cursor posts a peek at the Red Lemonade list.
The Barack SlideShow
When archives are built incrementally on top of access, instead of access being born of hard labor from accumulated storage, the nature of the archive is transformed. The possibilities for an Obama Presidential Library — built from today and onwards — are transformative.
Philadelphia Closing 11 Library Branches
The financial crisis is having a huge negative impact on many public sector services, including libraries. From Publishers Lunch (subscription required): As municipalities across the country face large gaps in their budget, Philadelphia is taking "drastic new steps" to face the "economic storm" that include closing 11 of the 54 branch libraries that comprise the Free Library of Philadelphia….