How do you sell/transfer an eBook?

[famousdavis]

I was browsing Amazon's site for potential ebook purchases, and I wondered to myself: How does one go about selling/transferring ownership of an eBook?

E.g., suppose I bought an Amazon ebook, downloaded it, read it, and then wanted to permanently transfer ownership of the eBook to someone at PocketPCThoughts. How would such an exchange take place (assume that the eBook is copy-protected and required Microsoft Reader activation)?

[ChristopherTD]

As far as I know you can't, certainly not with MSReader format. I think Adobe are working on a library scheme for their secure format where you can borrow a title for a length of time and then it expires.

But neither are suited to being given to other folk, it is one of the drawbacks of the secure format. My paper books are often loaned out, and sometimes returned!

[PetiteFlower]

Ah, another vote for old-fashioned paper....

[AndyD]

Could you not just convert it to another format? I just searched google and found some links. Will not post here since I'm not sure if the mods are ok with it since you will be circumventing the files security settings. Can't vouch for any though

[famousdavis]

Well shoot -- that does seem a bit foolish for eBook publishers to disallow the legal transfer of eBook titles from one party to another. :cry:

[dh]

Well shoot -- that does seem a bit foolish for eBook publishers to disallow the legal transfer of eBook titles from one party to another. :cry:
Worse yet, say you buy ebooks in MS Reader format to read on your PPC, but Palm then come out with a killer new device and you switch over.

You are now shafted because you will not be able to read your books at all.

Unless you want to convert the formats yourself, I would suggest buying books in Palm Digital Media or Mobipocket formats because they have readers for different operating systems.

[rhmorrison]

Well shoot -- that does seem a bit foolish for eBook publishers to disallow the legal transfer of eBook titles from one party to another. :cry:
This is called agressive Marketing. :pukeface:

[ironguy]

... Palm then come out with a killer new device and you switch over

I saw a pig flying on the way to work today!

[PetiteFlower]

Well shoot -- that does seem a bit foolish for eBook publishers to disallow the legal transfer of eBook titles from one party to another. :cry:

While the selling of used paper books is legal(I think? I love buying used books though), the selling of ebooks probably isn't......it's not legal to sell mp3s even if you obtained them legally. Probably because they can't ensure that you aren't just selling a COPY. But heck, with the absurd copy protections that MS Reader uses, you'd think they'd have a way to securely transfer ownership.

[dean_shan]

Worse yet, say you buy ebooks in MS Reader format to read on your PPC, but Palm then come out with a killer new device and you switch over.

You are now shafted because you will not be able to read your books at all.
Unless you want to convert the formats yourself, I would suggest buying books in Palm Digital Media or Mobipocket formats because they have readers for different operating systems.

That's why I use PalmReader. I used that when I had a Palm :eek: and now all my stuff I can read still.