Why can't we buy the original publisher's edition, the typeset electronic copy,
of a book? For instance, I can buy "Rabble in Arms" by Kenneth
Roberts, but I can't buy the electronic words allowing me to search through
and print out various sections of text.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Feb 2006 12:51 PST

Book publishers have the option of making the electronic text of their
books available through several avenues, such as Amazon's a9.com, or
Google's print.google.com, or other similar services.

Many books can be purchased outright and downloaded in etext format.

However, a fair number of authors or publishers are still wary of
etext, out of concern for losing exclusive control of their works.

A similar situation existed in the music industry a few years ago,
before they finally saw the light that the internet was the future of
the music business.  I suspect most publishers will eventually come to
the same conclusion, but for now, many are still holding back.


What sort of additional information on this topic would you like to
make for a complete answer to your question?


pafalafa-ga