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Monday, July 6, 2009

Books This Does Not Bode Well

Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, Jul 6, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Here is a very good reason not to buy a Kindle: Amazon Applies for E-Book Ad Patent

"For instance, if a restaurant is described on page 12, [then the advertising page], either on page 11 or page 13, may include advertisements about restaurants, wine, food, etc., which are related to restaurants and dining."

CrunchGear investigates a little further:

Before everyone gets in a huff, let’s consider Amazon’s intentions with these patent applications. Surely they would never allow advertisements to be placed in books which you have purchased legitimately at full price, so let’s put that out of our heads. But what if you could take a few bucks off the cover price at the cost of a few contextual ads relating (if possible) to the book’s content? Personally, I wouldn’t mind — partially because I don’t use a Kindle or intend to any time soon, but more because it’s a no-lose situation. Amazon wouldn’t risk alienating its loyal Kindle base with dirty tricks like this, so it’s safe to assume it’ll be at least somewhat opt-in.

(Shudder.)

Comments (11) RSS

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I can't see caring about this. Depending on the book I would probably put up with some targeted ads in exchange for not having to pay for the book. Hell maybe the ads would be for something I might want or another book I might be interested in.

Oh wait, I forgot that advertising=evil.

Posted by giffy on July 6, 2009 at 11:41 AM

How is that a good reason not to buy a Kindle? It sounds completely reasonable to me.

Posted by N on July 6, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Actually, I can think of a lot of reasons for not buying a Kindle. That, however, is not one of them.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on July 6, 2009 at 11:48 AM

patents like this are illegal in the EU, and for good reason.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on July 6, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Unless the Kindle wireless is activated the reader can't click on a link, though I suppose that some ads could be 'pre-bundled' with a given title.
Seems like we need more info.

Posted by Hyzenthlayk9

on July 6, 2009 at 12:19 PM

@5: "Seems like we need more info."

For Constant to formulate and post a knee-jerk, anti-Amazon opinion? Not at all.

Posted by realjournalist on July 6, 2009 at 12:40 PM

Hey, guess what, children: I have probably a dozen paperback books on my shelf from the 60s-70s with ADS IN THE MIDDLE. Big full page glaring color glossy ads.

Often, for cigarettes.

So stufoo.

Posted by K on July 6, 2009 at 12:56 PM

In other news, the fact that newspapers and magazines can contain ads is a good reason not to buy anything printed on paper. Um, right?

Posted by also on July 6, 2009 at 1:06 PM

Yeah, I was going to say what K. did above. Books have had ads in them in the past. And some books (pulp-types) have even had some product placement I believe.

Posted by stinkbug on July 6, 2009 at 1:40 PM

@8 - no, we need something to wrap our fish and chips in.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on July 6, 2009 at 3:10 PM

Don't get too hopeful. Amazon would totally overlay advertising on top of books you paid full price for. Colleagues of mine that have worked for them can certify that they have the moral compass of your friendly neighborhood Enron.

They need to make some of their money back from R&D, plus they may take a hit with forthcoming online tax laws, plus I'm sure the recession's cutting into their revenue, etc. etc.

Posted by Gomez