Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos apologizes for Kindle ebook deletion [LWN.net]

Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos apologizes for Kindle ebook deletion

Posted Jul 26, 2009 2:34 UTC (Sun) by sbergman27 (guest, #10767)
In reply to: Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos apologizes for Kindle ebook deletion by rahulsundaram
Parent article: Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos apologizes for Kindle ebook deletion

So the "apology" really comes under the heading of "talk is cheap". If the books had been paper, would agents of Amazon have shown up on their customers' doorsteps to forcibly reclaim the books?

I wonder what Orwell would have made of this 'great literature as a service' world? In fact, I think we can make a good guess.

to post comments

Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos apologizes for Kindle ebook deletion

Posted Jul 31, 2009 23:53 UTC (Fri) by giraffedata (guest, #1954) [Link]

If the books had been paper, would agents of Amazon have shown up on their customers' doorsteps to forcibly reclaim the books?

By forcibly, you mean somehow bodily prevailing upon the occupant of the house? That's not analogous to what Amazon did with the Kindle. Well, maybe some people think hacking into a computer is morally equivalent to mugging someone -- virtual violence -- and for them it would be analogous. But I think most people draw a distinction.

I'm reminded of laws that say a person may legally right a wrong if he can do it "peaceably." For example, if you steal my book and I see it sitting on your desk when you aren't there, I can "steal" it back, but if you're holding it, I can't take it from your hands.

I see electronically deleting files behind the user's back as peaceable.