Thread by @jayblanc

Once again I discover that it's going to be impossible for me to buy a copy of a book I want to read, in a format that does not cause me risk of physical pain to read. The Publishing industry's 'region locks' on e-book sales is actually damaging to people like me.

(tmi: repeatedly performing controlled fine manual dexterity movements with my hands can cause them to cramp and spasm. This means reading actual physical books can leave me unable to turn the next page for hours... e-books are not a 'luxury' to me.)

And yes, I understand the 'We can't sell e-books in Europe, because the Translator companies won't translate the books if people are buying the english ones instead' argument. But that's trading benefit to Translator companies making a profit, over access for disabled people.

And I don't think the economics even works out. Because the if Translating companies will only allow sales of books that are going to have demand, then they act as gate keepers for that decision and will only cherry pick the most profitable works. Which they would do ANYWAY!

I'm also vaguely of the idea that the Translating companies holding publisher hostage over not publishing English copies of their books in their territories... Might be illegal collusive price fixing? Correct me if I'm wrong, but surely it's the kind of market fixing that's bad?

PUBLISHERS, next time a regional translating company uses threats to block a you from publishing english e-books in a region, cut out the middle man. Hire a translator, publish translated e-book version of your most popular works. Everyone wins aside from teritorial gatekeepers.

And you'll probably make more money. Because now you're not subsidising a load of small teritorial gatekeepers who've been blocking your publishing in their regions over threats to not translate your works. And you'll make more direct profit out of e-books than 3rd party exports!

Of course, this isn't a perfect scheme. It isn't going to work in regions where that regional-translator model still serves a purpose because there's less e-book capable devices in people's pockets and satchels. But those aren't the ones who are causing harm.

But in the huge media market areas... It's *FOLLY* that a German gatekeeper can block sales to Ireland because they threaten not to print German language copies if you sell direct. This is obviously a harmful and toxic and possibly illegal market model.

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