by Thoul » Wed Jan 16, '13, 10:46 am
I've been wondering when someone would try this. It was just a matter time, given the way we can borrow movies over some digital services now. I'll be curious to see how they handle some of the problems inherent in the concept of a fully digital library. In particular, I want to know what kind of limits they will try to impose on the lending process.
Most libraries have limited resources - a finite number of copies of each book, for instance. When you transition to digital, suddenly that limit no longer has to apply. A physical book can only be loaned out to one person at a time, but an ebook can potentially be copied to anyone who has an acceptable device. If dozens of people want a copy of one book at the same time, that's now more difficult to prevent. I can't imagine that publishing companies would be too thrilled with an unrestricted environment that allows potentially thousands of people to read the latest best selling books, all on the week of release, at no charge.