Macmillan CEO John Sargent: 'We're Not Trying to Harm Libraries' - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was just taking his afternoon nap, when, suddenly, he was shaken from his kitty bed by booing and hissing coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile, he followed the caterwauling to the Publishers Weekly site. There our brave kitty boy found a post about publisher Macmillan's embargo on libraries. Panzer told you yesterday about the American Library Association's (ALA) letter to the House Judiciary Committee about Macmillan and other publishers.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Macmillan CEO John Sargent has released a letter to librarians and the American Library Association (ALA) about Macmillan's embargo of libraries. Starting November 1, Macmillan will only allow libraries to purchase one copy of their new ebooks until two months after the ebooks publication date. CEO Sargent's letter basically repeats the same argument he has been using to place the embargo. That people check out ebooks from the library instead of buying the physical book. He says this hurts Macmillan, so he won't change his decision. The post includes links to other Publishers Weekly posts about the embargo and a link to a copy of the letter. You will want to read the letter.

Who's on the House Judiciary Committee?

Panzer says, "So he doesn't want to 'Harm Libraries', he wants to 'Harm Library Patrons.' Those same library patrons he wants to buy his books. Makes this little kitty want to run right out and buy a Macmillan book."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you want to follow the links, bring another cup of tea and two muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read yesterday's post about the House Judiciary Committee, tootle over to  Digital Antitrust