April 18, 2024

“Buy-to-Unglue” Ebook Crowdfunding Model Goes Beta

Unglue.it logo

Unglue.it, the crowdfunding platform developed to encourage publishers to make ebooks DRM-free and open access under a Creative Commons license, in January launched a beta test of “Buy to Unglue,” a new crowdfunding model that will offer ebook licenses in exchange for donations.

Amazon Forces Unglue.it To Suspend Crowdfunding Operations

Unglue.it, the new crowdfunding site that encourages authors and publishers to make their ebooks available under a Creative Commons license, today was forced to suspend all active campaigns, after Amazon informed the organization that it would no longer process its pledge payments. Eric Hellman, founder of Unglue.it developer Gluejar Inc., told LJ that an Amazon representative had informed them that crowdfunding, in general, presents regulatory and contractual issues that Amazon is having difficulty keeping pace with. According to their conversation, with the exception of Kickstarter, Amazon Payments will be rejecting business with all new crowdfunding operations.

Fledgling Publisher Budding Reader Distributes Ebooks—Free of Charge

In an unlikely value proposition for a publisher, the fledgling ebook shop Budding Reader strives to give away as many ebooks as possible.