E-Books
According to this video by Apple Explained, ebooks are more expensive than paperbacks because corporations are greedy and want to screw over customers.
Traditionally, bookstores competed with each other, which drove down prices for consumers. Ebooks, however, gave publishers a chance to take control of pricing. They teamed up with Apple to create the agency model, which allows publishers to set ebook prices. This means stores can't offer discounts, and ebooks stay expensive.
In short, ebooks are a scam that benefits corporations, not consumers. And guess what? It gets worse! The lawsuit against Apple for this anti-consumer practice didn't even change anything. So yeah, corporations win, you lose.
The video you linked suggests ebooks are a cynical ploy by corporations to squeeze more money out of readers. Here's why:
- Goodbye Competition, Hello Control: Unlike paperbacks where bookstores compete driving down prices, ebooks use an "agency model." Publishers set the price, and retailers just get a commission. Think of it like Steam for books: you pay what the publisher says, and forget discounts.
- Ebooks: The Pricier "Physical" Copy? It's cheaper to produce an ebook, but publishers argue lower prices would devalue their product. This is like claiming a digital game copy (which costs less to distribute) should be the same price as a physical copy!
- You Never Really "Own" an Ebook: Remember those End User License Agreements (EULAs) you agree to before buying a game? Ebooks have them too. You pay a premium but can't resell or lend your "copy" like a regular book. It's a total joke!
The system is rigged in favor of publishers, not readers. And lawsuits challenging these practices haven't changed much. So, the video argues, ebooks are a cynical way for corporations to maximize profits at your expense.
