Amazon Explores Netflix-like Ebook Lending Service

Amazon is thinking about launching a "Netflix" for digital books, which would allow readers to pay an annual fee to read ebooks without actually buying them.

However, it appears the plan would limit how many ebooks subscribers could read each month. 

According to a report in the The Wall Street Journal, publishers aren't thrilled with the idea because they worry it could devalue books, as well as hurt the publishers' relationships with other retailers.

Amazon has reportedly told publishing executives the ebook library would feature older titles.

According to the Journal article, the ebook content would be made available to customers of Amazon Prime, who pay $79 a year for two-day shipping and for access to a digital library of films and television shows.

The publishers would receive a substantial fee for participating in the program, but it is unclear whether any of them have agreed to participate.

According to Publishers Weekly, Amazon intends to launch the new service in time for the holiday season.

There's also a question as to how far-reaching the service would be. Publishers Weekly reports  Amazon is telling publishers that fewer than 10 percent of its Prime customers own a Kindle.

I'm guessing quite a few more will sign on, if and when an ebook reading feature is added.