I’d see them more as a way to avoid licenses. When you buy a book from Amazon you’re buying a license to view the book, not the book. You don’t own the book ever. Amazon can and does revoke licenses from time to time. In addition, some countries have zero or reduced VAT on books but you’re not buying a book, you’re buying a license to view a book so it doesn’t apply. So if the case could be made that yes, I’m BUYING the book and here is my token of ownership then a digital book would be cheaper, assuming the publisher sold it as such.
As for software licenses, I think it’s a much thornier issue. Even software which comes in a box usually has a software key & license so it’s not like other media where digital content could be imbued with ownership and therefore be sold and loaned like physical media.
I’d see them more as a way to avoid licenses. When you buy a book from Amazon you’re buying a license to view the book, not the book. You don’t own the book ever. Amazon can and does revoke licenses from time to time. In addition, some countries have zero or reduced VAT on books but you’re not buying a book, you’re buying a license to view a book so it doesn’t apply. So if the case could be made that yes, I’m BUYING the book and here is my token of ownership then a digital book would be cheaper, assuming the publisher sold it as such.
As for software licenses, I think it’s a much thornier issue. Even software which comes in a box usually has a software key & license so it’s not like other media where digital content could be imbued with ownership and therefore be sold and loaned like physical media.