Re: A first for me

From: "Chris Smith" 
<snip>
>> Your own US Constitution recognises that IP is a special case.
>> Live with it.
> 
> ... but since I can tell from this reply that you aren't really listening,
> perhaps we'll just have to agree to differ.
> 
> : chris smith ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> : nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit - cicero :

Actually you can tell no such thing. We've been round most of this house before, though the specific of returns might be new.

What you have actually done is to show that many booksellers are advanced. For while there are requirements on most retailers and industries to accept returns, there is no such requirment for books. And that is for the reasons I previously stated. Now some, as you illustrate, do have a returns policy. But again, they are not publishers or authors.

What I said to you was that if you wanted *as a rule* a straight returns policy you needed to suggest methodology. You prefer to assume your position needs no amendment, and simply expect my agreement with exactly what you say.

In fact, it is unlikely that any print bookseller would refuse to accept a reasonable return, since print books are accepted from wholesalers by them with a right to return. That may be emphasised by an individual bookseller, but in the current conventional distribution channel what you are talking about should exist de facto.

The question of ebooks is considerably more difficult for a formal policy. And I imagine we were actually talking about ebooks. Here I do not believe there is a satisfactory way of making a blanket refund system. Nonetheless I have seen cases of book selling where sites do state such a policy. 

I am, as you know, very cautious about loose wording and description. So, as I said - anticipating where you might go - the need is to be clear with exactly what you mean. Your original example did not, to me, meet any standards for a policy. Now, individual sellers, whether eretailers or publishers, can have any policy they choose [within the law]. But if, as you seemed to be, you are recommending an enforceable standard, you must offer some definitions, not just loose ideas.

Joseph




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