Google Print Rent-A-Book

WSJ on Google Rent-A-Book: Prices Too Low for Book Publishers:

Hey, how about lending me that book online for a week? Sound a little odd? Well, that is the new page in Google’s digital book program, according to an article published on the Wall Street Journal ’s Web site Sunday.

The search giant has approached book publishers to measure interest in a concept to allow consumers to essentially rent books online for a week, according to the article. The books would not be downloadable or printable, but that may change, according to an unidentified publisher mentioned as the article’s source. Although the idea presents an excellent opportunity for book publishers to access the emerging digital book market, the proposed fee to end users–10 percent of the list price–was too low, this publisher said.

As a publisher, I agree. 30 or 40 percent of list per week would be more like it. Most people can finish a book in two or three weeks.

What’s missing from this scenario? A convenient way for users to forget to return the books, to drive the same bonus revenue as libraries and video stores get from overdue items.

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