0

By

Verbatim, here’s the explanation from Fictionwise on “Why some eBooks not available in Rocket/REB1100 format”:

Fictionwise is both a publisher and a distributor of eBooks. The eBooks that we publish (over 550 now with new titles added weekly) will continue to be offered in Rocket format.

However, ereads and ElectricStory (both are also eBook publishers and we distribute their eBooks at Fictionwise) recently learned that their contracts with Gemstar are exclusive and prevent Fictionwise from distributing them in RB format (we still sell ereads and ElectricStory eBooks in all of our other formats). PocketManager eBooks are also not available in Rocket format for contractual reasons.

Fictionwise will continue to support the Rocket format whenever possible.

* * *

The TeleRead take: Given Gemstar’s fine understanding of good business practices–sarcasm alert–we can understand Gemstar-TV Guide’s SEC woes.

Too bad. Some very talented people have worked for Gemstar, which had the wisdom to purchase the designs for the RocketBook and SoftBook.

Henry Yuen, deposed as Gemstar boss, could have scored some major successes in the e-book world if he hadn’t tried so hard to create a Microsoft-style monopoly in e-books. One hopes that News Corporation, picking up the pieces, won’t have the same delusions and will move to make licensing arrangements less restrictive.

Meanwhile, in character, Yuen got a nice good-bye present at the expense of shareholders. “Even though Gemstar was largely responsible for News Corp’s $US6.6 billion ($12 billion) loss for the 2002 financial year,” the Sydney Morning Herald reports, “News Corp still agreed to give Dr Yuen a $US22 million termination payment after he was dumped. Gemstar chief financial officer Elsie Leung, who was also replaced, was paid out $US7 million.”

 
0