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stories filed under: "book publishers"
(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
book publishers, file sharing, germany, music publishers



German Music And Book Publishers Demand ISPs Block File Sharing Sites

from the because-no-good-can-come-of-that dept

Michael Scott points us to the news that German book publishers have joined with recording industry representatives to demand that a variety of file sharing websites be blocked by German ISPs, claiming "I don't see any other way than access controls to get to platforms like these that are based in foreign countries." Or, you know, the labels and book publishers could (*gasp*) try to figure out way to use these sites to their advantage rather than denying their existence. Blocking the sites, of course, won't do much of anything, other than moving those who file share to alternative sites or proxy's/encryption, making it that much more difficult for these companies to learn how to use these sites to their own advantage.

10 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
Culture

Culture

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
book publishers, bookstores

Companies:
angus and robertson, tower books



Bookstore Demands Publisher Payola For Stocking Books In Store

from the the-fight-for-survival dept

Similar to the RIAA's attempt to get radio stations to pay it for playing songs, it appears that another struggling industry is demanding payments from partners instead of adjusting to the changing market. BoingBoing points us to the story of a large Australian bookstore that apparently demanded that certain publishers pay it a fee to continue stocking their books. The publisher in this case sent back a rather caustic and mocking letter, calling the bookstore's bluff. We all know that the market for bookstores has changed drastically, thanks to the internet, but the answer clearly is not about stocking fewer books that people want or by artificially limiting what books you stock. Since the internet already has unlimited shelf space, you're only making things worse if you do that. Other booksellers have realized that they need to change and play up what makes them valuable beyond their shelf space -- doing such things as becoming destination sites, publishing their own books and playing up the expertise of the staff. Instead, this Australian bookseller has simply resorted to a weak and unsustainable payola scheme that will likely only hasten its demise. In fact, as this story becomes more well known, even fewer people will be interested in going to Angus & Robertson's bookstores, since they'll now know that the books aren't chosen by popularity, but by who will pay off A&R.

19 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
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