Publishers Phase Out Piracy Protection on Audio Books
By BRAD STONE
Published: March 3, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO — Some of the largest book publishers in the world are stripping away the anticopying software on digital downloads of audio books.

The trend will allow consumers who download audio books to freely transfer these digital files between devices like their computers, iPods and cellphones — and conceivably share them with others. Dropping copying restrictions could also allow a variety of online retailers to start to sell audio book downloads.

The publishers hope this openness could spark renewed growth in the audio book business, which generated $923 million in sales last year, according to the Audio Publishers Association.

Publishers Phase Out Piracy Protection on Audio Books - New York Times

Audible told offer is too low

Audible shareholder Red Oak Partners said Amazon.com’s $300 million offer to buy the company is too low and asked that a study determining its value be made public.

Audible’s board “ignored important factors,” including price estimates that didn’t consider the dilutive effect of a 6 million-share offering, in recommending the deal, Red Oak said Friday. Red Oak owns a 1.4 percent stake in the Newark, N.J., company. Audible sells audio versions of books, magazines and newspapers from its Web site.

Internet retailer Amazon agreed Jan. 1 to buy the company for $11.50 a share, a 23 percent premium.

Red Oak doesn’t plan to accept Seattle-based Amazon’s offer, portfolio manager David Sandberg wrote in the letter to Audible Chief Executive Officer Donald Katz, which was included in the statement. Sandberg said the firm may take part in stockholder litigation that has been filed.

Compiled from Bloomberg News

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