Reciprocal, Random House To Sell Ebook Classics

Posted on November 3, 2000

Reciprocal, Inc. has announced it has signed with Random House, Inc. to provide DRM and digital clearinghouse services in association with the publisher's digital content distribution program. The Modern Library, an imprint of the Random House Trade Group, provides the first offering in this new program which includes more than 100 works of classic literature from their bound book backlist in electronic form. New ebook editions will feature introductions by familiar writers and personalities, updated text and other highlights to distinguish the titles from their earlier printed versions. The Modern Library collection will be available in Adobe (.pdf), Glassbook Reader (.pdf) and Microsoft Reader (.lit) formats.

Reciprocal will act as a virtual wholesaler and will protect, host and manage e-book content for the Modern Library, as well as provide DRM and digital commerce services. Reciprocal will integrate affinity and retailer sites appropriate to the Modern Library list into the Reciprocal Digital Clearing Service. The company will also be responsible for the clearance of all rights and, where necessary, commerce associated with any digital transactions. Several sites have already signed to the Modern Library affinity/retailer program.

The distribution program allows for sites with limited or no commerce ability (affinity sites) as well as fully-commerce enabled retail sites to distribute the digital classics. Affinity sites include literary societies and associations, author focused sites, reading clubs and communities, and other sites that draw visitors with interest in the Modern Library offering.

``Our release of 100 works of literature in electronic form is a natural extension of the Modern Library's tradition,'' says David Ebershoff, the Modern Library's publishing director. ``Since 1917 the Modern Library has had a mission of making world literature accessible to readers. In 2000, that means publishing the classics in hardcover, paperback, and electronically. With e-books we are offering readers greater choice while always maintaining the Modern Library's long-established commitment to quality and literary excellence.''