Bezos apologizes for removal of classic Orwell titles from Kindle |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Mobile payments: Tech titans move in, but consumers still trust banks
- Seattle ranks No. 1 in tech sector job growth
- Comcast follows Google and Intel, takes a hit on Clearwire deal
- Clearwire's stock tanks as Nokia exec calls WiMax a 'niche play'
- Handbag rental service Avelle cuts staff
- ITC sides with Microsoft in Motorola patent infringement case
Mass High Tech
Kindle News
- Seattle is nation's 13th most 'well-read' city, says Amazon
- Target confirms it will stop selling Kindle, other Amazon products
- U.S. sues Apple, book publishers for fixing e-book prices
- Publishing on the iPad: Displays, processors and licensing, oh my!
- Amazon's Kindle Fire eats into Apple's iPad tablet lead
Bezos apologizes for removal of classic Orwell titles from Kindle
Photo via: Barnes & Noble
Amazon got a blast of bad PR last week after news broke that the company had removed George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm" from the Kindle electronic book reader as part of a dust-up with a publisher. Now Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is making a personal apology, writing in a Kindle discussion board that the company was "stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of line with our principles."
Here's the full text of the Bezos apology, posted Thursday just before Amazon's second-quarter earnings announcement:
This is an apology for the way we previously handled illegally sold copies of 1984 and other novels on Kindle. Our "solution" to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of line with our principles. It is wholly self-inflicted, and we deserve the criticism we've received. We will use the scar tissue from this painful mistake to help make better decisions going forward, ones that match our mission.
With deep apology to our customers,
Jeff Bezos
Founder & CEO
Amazon.com
Kind of reminds me of the apology Amazon made after the removal of sales rank for a number of gay- and lesbian-themed books earlier this year. The company called it a "ham-fisted error."
Follow my updates on Twitter.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Follow, like, and connect to a broader audience for your company!
The Puget Sound Business Journal announces Social Madness: A Corporate Social Media Challenge, presented by Capital One Spark Business. This a local and national challenge that will spotlight the best social media programs of companies in 43 cities. The local challenge begins (following the nomination period) on June 1, 2012. The promotion will culminate in a national bracket challenge that will crown Social Madness champions in 3 categories based on company size. To see the official rules, visit http://www.socialmadness.com/rules.
For more information on how your company can participate, visit the nomination page here. Nominations are due May 15th.
BizDev Seminar Series - Leadership: Rallying People to a Brighter Future
Join us for this one-of-a-kind seminar series where you hear directly from the experts about hot topics to grow your business.
The skills to be effective as a leader can be learned. What are the skills and attributes needed to be effective top leaders? How do you tell what level your people are at, and what development skills each person needs? Workshop attendees will learn the answers to these questions and more.
Tuesday, May 17, 2012
8:30am - 10:30am
The Harbor Club, Seattle
Register here.
