The New York Times' B2B Opportunity
The New York Times is likely to introduce institutional pricing now that it is beginning to charge for consumer access.
The Google Books Settlement: Where Things Stand, and Some Suggestions for What's Next
The Google Books Settlement actually hit its second roadblock this week. Here’s why, and where matter might go from here.
Innovation & Longevity in Digital Publishing: Surfing the S-Curve
Innovation requires planning for adoption. Publishers can win in the long-haul by following maps others have drawn.
HarperCollinsGate: Some Thoughts
The HarperCollins e-book lending limitations provide lessons in how both sides typically deal with change.
The Vexed Problem of Libraries, Publishers, and E-books
The recent brouhaha about HarperCollins’ policy of restricting ebook circulation in libraries misses the larger point that libraries and publishers can work toward satisfying their respective interests.
The Expensive e-Book: The Illogical Reasons Why Paper Books Can Sell for Less
When you explore the revenue model of e-books vs. print books, some pricing practices make sense. But when you factor in the expenses, the logic begins to break down.
The New Economics of the University Press — A Report from the AAUP
A report by the AAUP outlines the business models available to university presses and makes a case for ongoing subsidies by parent institutions.
Prices, Models, and Fairness: A (Partly) Imaginary Phone Conversation
[Phone rings.] Librarian: Hello? Sales Rep: Hello! Robert from Acme Scholarly Journals here. As you know, for the past year we’ve been working on a new pricing model for our journal package, and now that it’s ready my boss and […]
The Tablet Wars Are On, With Big Stakes for Publishers
The tablet wars are on, with special significance for STM publishers.
Providers vs. Platforms — Why Must We Move?
Apple’s apparent abuse of its platform dominance may signal a basic incompatibility between providers and platforms.
Editors for Hire — Providing Assistance or Exploiting Hopes?
Should publishers endorse commercial editing services?
What We Talk About When We Talk About Business Models: A Bestiary of Revenue Streams
Business models for publishers fall into four broad categories, defined by how revenue is generated. Some classes of content lend themselves to one model over another.
The Bigger Deal: One Scenario for How the Library Funding Crisis Will Play Out
Maligned though it often is, the Big Deal for journals is likely to get bigger, marginalizing the offerings of smaller publishers.
Aftermarketing: What Publishers Now Must Do After the Sale
A report on book circulation at the Cornell library invites speculation as to how book publishers will have to continue to market their books even after they are sold: aftermarketing.
Darnton, Coppola, and the Impossibility of Free Information
“Free” is an illusion and an insult. All information we want costs money, and we as creators want it to cost money.