Own or Rent? A Survey of eBook Licensing Models

Abstract

The article presents information on the three basic models of eBook licensing: the print model, the database model, and the open access model. Under the print model, the book is offered for checked out, but once it is, other users have no more access to it. In the database model, there is an annual subscription fee and unlimited access to users. The open access model covers all eBook collections that are available for free on the Web. Data about the vendors which follow any of the three models are also given. More information could be found in the article.