Buying used ebooks on Amazon might soon be possible: the company is working on it.
Can a market for used ebooks, or more generally for used multimedia content, exist? Probably yes, although a dedicated system needs refinement. Amazon might be considering this, as it appears they have recently filed a patent with the ultimate goal of creating a platform that allows access to used ebooks, naturally generating profit. However, the scope seems likely to be much broader, potentially encompassing MP3s, videos, and applications.
It is already possible today to lend an ebook via Kindle, temporarily transferring rights to a second user who, at the end of the lending period, would no longer have a copy on their device.
The new system, however, would likely change this very process, transferring ownership of the ebook to the user interested in a second-hand purchase.
The issue is not as simple as it first appears: one must consider the risk of not stimulating the market for new ebooks.
Since there is no real wear and tear for an ebook copy, it would be difficult to differentiate between a first purchase and the acquisition of a used ebook. The hypothesis that appears to be gaining traction concerns setting a limited number of cession possibilities for the ebook.
After a certain number of times the digital content is transferred, the file would, so to speak, “wear out” and could no longer be exchanged.
Everything is still under consideration, but what is certain is that Amazon is working on it.
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