Australians will be able to buy digital books over the counter at bookstores from next year using new technology designed for Australian book publishers.
Chief executive officer of the Australian Publishers Association Maree McCaskill said the take-up of eBooks in Australia had been hampered by cost and availability issues and the lack of "a simple system for eBook distribution".
"This new system will allow Australians to download digital books quickly and simply via participating bookstores," she said in a statement on Sunday.
All booksellers using an APA programme called TitlePage will be able to access the system.
Customers wanting an eBook can go to a participating retailer, check the title they want is available in the right format and price, then give the store their email address and pay for the book.
The system will email customers a unique web address they can access to download the book at their convenience.
McCaskill said the system should be operating in the first half of 2010.
"Australian booksellers have been looking for an industry solution to enable them to participate in this market, and this system will minimise risk for them in a fast-moving landscape," she said.
Chief executive officer of the Australian Booksellers Association, Malcolm Neil, said the initiative would ensure "Australian readers have access to the choice of retailer which suits them in this exciting new market".
