While Apple’s iBook Author tool has been made freely available, apparently it is accompanied by a heavy catch, specifically for those hoping to create and sell ebooks with it.

 

According to the end user licensing agreement (EULA), authors would have to effectively sign over their distribution rights to their book should they wish to sell their work on Apple’s Store.

 

The EULA states that while any book made with the software can be given away for free without restriction, it can only be sold through the iBookstore, and would not be ‘permitted’ to be sold through any other channel. Considering that Apple takes a 30% cut of all sales made through its store, this has been condemned as essentially taking ownership of user’s ebooks and dictating business terms that suit Apple.

 

The terms contained within the EULA have ignited a storm of criticism, with some independent publishers slamming it as being ‘audacious’, ‘ludicrous’, ’unacceptable’ and even ‘greedy’ according to Ars Technica.

 

One of those disappointed by Apple’s approach is Krista Stevens, the editor-in-chief of online publishing site A List Apart. "My initial enthusiasm for iBooks Author is dashed by Apple's strangle hold on alternate distribution channels," she commented on Twitter. Stevens added that if Apple really wanted to make a difference in education “they'd champion distribution, not limit it”.

 

A more humorous response, but no less pertinent one, came from Microsoft’s lead of Corporate Communications, Frank Shaw, who mocked Apple in a series of tweets, saying “If you write a novel in Word, we promise not to take a 30% cut. Likewise, if you deliver a speech in PowerPoint, we promise not to take 30% of your speaking fees. If you manage your finances in Excel, we promise not to take 30% of your income."

 

ZDNet’s Ed Bott had a more serious view. “Over the years, I have read hundreds of license agreements, looking for little gotchas and clear descriptions of rights. But I have never, ever seen a legal document like the one Apple has attached to its new iBooks Author program,” he commented on his blog.

 

At the time of writing, there has been no formal comment from Apple over what is turning out to be a dampener on its recent launch at best, and somewhat of an internet fueled fiasco at worst.

 

We hope that Apple clears up this mess and abandons this rigid and closed approach to e-publishing, as soon as it is done wiping egg off its face, so that we can continue being excited by what iBooks Author could offer, rather than disappointed by what appears to be yet another attempt to control users.