After warning e-poachers to keep their mitts off its books (see Random House Serves Notice on Would-be E-Interlopers) Random House agreed to let the William Styron estate place e-book rights to some of the late author’s books with recently formed independent e-book company Open Road Integrated Media.

It was speculated that Random’s threat last winter, advising authors they were “precluded from granting publishing rights to third parties that would compromise the rights for which Random House has bargained,” had been provoked by Open Road’s announcement that it had reached agreement with the Styron estate. So it is puzzling that Random yielded to the very same company without a fight. Motoko Rich, writing the story up in the New York Times, seems to suggest that the accommodation was achieved by friendly persuasion stemming from warm feelings between the company and the estate.

Random’s Stuart Applebaum, however, asserted that “The decision of the Styron estate is an exception to these discussions. Our understanding is that this is a unique family situation.” Whether the publisher will be moved by similar auld lang syne appeals from other authors is an intriguing question. But Random has not made it easier on itself by making an exception to its own stern rule.

Read Rich’s story in detail: Random House Cedes Some Digital Rights to Styron Heirs

Richard Curtis
Every Blogger owes a debt of gratitude to newspapers and magazines. This posting relies on original research and reporting performed by the New York Times.