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Librarians poking holes in HarperCollins new rules (video)

One OK based library system have decide to take an activist role in responding to the new restrictions imposed by HarperCollins. The Pioneer Library System won’t be buying any more HarperCollins  ebooks, and they objected to the principle of the limit:

The rationale offered by the publisher is since paper books wear out and need to be replaced if they are to remain in a library’s collection, the same should be true of their electronic formats. The publisher argues that it should not be denied revenues that come from reselling replacement books and resources. Because the publisher assumes digital resources never deteriorate, they have set an arbitrary limit to the number of times an electronic resource can be accessed. Not planned obsolescence. Forced obsolescence.

The argument against the arbitrary number is twofold. First, replacement of books in libraries is based upon the condition of the book, not the number of times it has been checked out.  It is not unusual for popular books to be checked out 100 times or more before the wear and tear of circulation takes its toll and the book has to be replaced or repaired.  Second, eBooks, too, eventually wear out. The electronic file formats become obsolete in a matter of years as technology progresses and customer interests change.  Remember the switch from VHS to DVD or cassette to CD?

They also posted this video on Youtube which demonstrated the falseness of HarperCollins claims.

via PLS

image via Flickr

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Comments


Rich Adin March 3, 2011 um 1:50 pm

Was there ever any doubt about the falsity of the HarperCollins claims? I think there are several things at play here.

First, Rupert Murdoch is so awash in money that he has no clue who patronizes libraries and why. He and his kids probably assume that because they can buy as many books as they want, everyone esle can.

Second, libraries are supported by tax dollars and Murdoch probably assumes that taxpayers will agree to pay a few dollars more a year in taxes to keep libraries solvent and buying books.

Third, he probably believes this is necessary to boost his profits so he can buy BSkyB and then screw its subscribers.

I suppose it could also be revenge for not being permitted to duplicate Fox "News" in Canada, a country that, unlike the United States, actually requires newscasters to be honest and nonpartisan.


Beware of witty librarians with videocams: Oklahoma libs vs. wear-and-tear excuse for HarperCollins 26-checkout limit on e-books | LibraryCity March 3, 2011 um 2:22 pm

[…] Library System, via one of my favorite e-book blogs, Nate the Great’s The Digital Reader. Related LibraryCity post: Printed books vs. e-books: Should publishers impose borrowing limits on […]


Joe March 4, 2011 um 11:12 am

how much money can one person make. I not object to making money but let’s be real about it. What if GM or Ford charged a replacement fee due to autos wearing out? It is my prerogative to repurchase or not. Maybe the e-book is not popular and they decide to remove it from their shelves, must they still pay the wear out fee? I believe corporative America has been blinded by excessive profits.


Penguin Ebooks Pulled From OverDrive – The Digital Reader November 21, 2011 um 4:49 pm

[…] And then there was HarperCollins, who decided to limit ebooks to 26 checkouts and a funeral (here, here). And now we have Penguin, except we don’t know what is going […]


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