[pbhjpbhj]

>I don't see how the publishers are evil in that situation. //

[Some made up numbers!]

The paperback costs $10. The publisher removes virtually all the direct production costs of creating the book itself (but obv. not the author, editor, type-setting, marketing and such which remain the same or lower). The publisher puts up the price of books because, hey, why use technology to open access to arts and information when you can use it instead to increase the wealth gap.

Yes, as I indicated, there may be extra utility in ebooks and that enables them to increase the price. But, with no price increase they still make more profit.

Yes, it's just capitalism; it's evil.

[res0nat0r]

Capitalism is now evil?

[Joeri]

No, it's a tool, and like any tool it's intrinsically amoral. The morality is derived by the wielder. When capitalism is used as an excuse for immoral behavior, the tool becomes how it is wielded.

[res0nat0r]

Charging the public for an e-book, at a price some are willing to pay is immoral?

[Joeri]

No, but some of the things that have been said and done in this negotiation were objectionable, and whitewashing all of it because 'hey, capitalism' is too easy. Nobody forced either side in this negotiation to harm the authors.