Apple iBooks Author has a pretty messed up EULA
Apple has just launched a new Mac app named iBooks Author.
Apple iBooks Author lets you create eBooks that are compatible with their updated version of iBooks platform.
The software is available as a free download and you can use it to create interactive eBooks. The app can export in three formats: iBooks, PDF and Text.
The problem is the licensing agreement. If you go into the details, Apple basically require you to agree to a very disturbing agreement… Any work created using the app would have to be sold through their iTunes platform. Which means that you would have to give Apple a cut in the revenue generated from it. Worse, you cannot offer the same work through another medium.
If you sell anything you create with Apple’s ebook tool, you MUST sell through Apple store and give them a cut. bit.ly/z2z6ht
— Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) January 19, 2012
Next up — if you create music with Garage Band it’ll have to go through iTunes to sell it? Absolutely bizarre…
— Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) January 19, 2012
