The Mystery of the Missing E-Books

[Commentary] Holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and e-books and e-book readers will be high on many people's wish lists. But public libraries don't share in the joy, and the people who use libraries will look in vain for e-books that aren't available from any library. They are missing, and here's why.

Think of the world of e-books like this: Imagine if every car that was purchased had to be a new car -- no more lots for used, pardon me, previously owned, cars. Or if every article of clothing had to be purchased new -- no more fancy consignment shops or second-hand stores from charities like Goodwill. On top of that, consider if every "purchase" of a car was really a lease, subject to terms and conditions from the dealer or car manufacturer. That's the way it is with e-books. Has anyone seen a "used" e-book? No. Not a one. Because they don't exist. Every e-book purchased is a new e-book. The reason for that is that book publishers have come to control the market for e-books in a way that other industries envy. Yes, the Justice Dept. may throw a flag about pricing and yes, publishers may lose a court case here and there. But the clear fact is that publishers have succeeded in a way that no other industry has.