Amazon
and Hachette Bury the Hatchet
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Amazon
and Hachette have abruptly ended a very bitter months
long battle over pricing, just in time for the holidays!
However,
Amazon and Hachette have not disclosed the terms of their new
multi-year deal, that goes into effect early next year.
Originally
Amazon wanted to set a $9.99 price ceiling on e-books, while
Hachette, wanted a range of prices between $12.99 and $14.99. We
won't know what prices we'll get until January of 2015. In the
meantime Hatchette titles will become available without delay before
the new terms take effect. I'll believe that when I see it!
Amazon
was also asking for a larger cut from each sale, they wanted up to
50% for each e-book sold. Again, the actual terms have not been
disclosed, as such I view this as a rare victory for the publishing
industry!
Dave
Naggar, Amazon's Vice President of Kindle, said in a brief statement
that - “Amazon is pleased with this new agreement as it includes
specific financial incentives for Hachette to deliver lower prices,
which we believe will be a great win for readers and authors alike.” Despite this statement, the agreement in fact allows Hatchette to set prices.
As
far as I am concerned here, e-book prices should never be above $10
and I don't care who writes them. E-books are digital replications
and are not worth more. Even at $9.99 they are terribly overpriced!
I won't purchase an e-book over $5.99.
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