Google does not appear to like being upstaged. In the wake of this month's announcement of
Amazon Pages, Google has
reportedly approached (subscription required) a book publisher about offering short-term rentals of new books online. For a fee, buyers who cannot wait to get their hands on a copy of a book will be granted complete online access for a week. Access will be via the Internet only; no downloading or printing allowed.
According to the publisher in question, Google suggested charging 10 percent of the book's list price as a rental fee, which the publisher characterized as too low.
Google's book-rental gambit appears to be a response to the upcoming Amazon Pages, which will give buyers the ability to buy just a portion of a book (e.g., the two chapters covered in the syllabus) for online access only. Another upcoming Amazon offering will give book buyers complete online access to a book in conjunction with the purchase of a printed copy.
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Ars Technica
Nov 14, 2005, 08:35 PM
