Mountain View, Calif. — Google announced Thursday that they have teamed up with J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore to offer the author’s internationally famous Harry Potter books using the Google Book ebook platform.
Google’s deal includes all seven Harry Potter novels, which will make their digital debut in the fall. Using Google’s technology will allow users to port their purchases to their choice from more than 80 ereaders.
As part of the deal, Google has exclusive payment rights for all Pottermore.com purchases — meaning all products will be purchased solely through Google Checkout rather than Amazon or Paypal. What Google doesn’t get, however, is the right to sell the ebooks, which will be available exclusively at Pottermore.com. That arrangement means Rowling can avoid splitting the sales with Amazon or any other online retailer.
Pottermore.com, which is expected to go live in October, was developed as a way for Harry Potter fans to play games, enjoy additional content features, and interact with other fans in an environment created to standards set by Rowling.
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3mm9eh2 (Mashable)
http://tinyurl.com/3hgo7mw (Los Angeles Times blog)
