Microsoft and O’Reilly Media, Inc. announcement

Microsoft and O’Reilly Media, Inc. announced that on November 30th 2009, O’Reilly Media Inc., will become the distributor of Microsoft Press titles in North America, co-publishing all Microsoft Press titles in the United States, with a global roll out in a phased approach. This agreement will support and expand Microsoft Press from production through distribution, co-publishing, content development, marketing, and management. O’Reilly has been at the forefront of online publishing, making this a great step forward for Microsoft Press and Microsoft.

Key benefits of this collaboration include:

Marketplace agility: O'Reilly's digital publishing innovations and multiple media channels will deliver Microsoft Press content to users and readers when and where they want to consume it--whether it's in a book, on their computer, or on their mobile phone.
Increased visibility: Access to O'Reilly's social media tools, webcast program, and online portals and Web sites will expand the reach of Microsoft Press' titles and content worldwide.
New opportunities for authors: O'Reilly's Author Portal will give Microsoft Press authors immediate access to an array of marketing and social media tools to help them promote their books and themselves as experts in their fields.

Read the full details in the announcement

Customers/Readers

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Q. What is Microsoft announcing?

On September 24, 2009, Microsoft announced a collaboration with O’Reilly Media, Inc. Read the press release for more information.

Q. How will this affect Microsoft Press offerings?

These changes will allow Microsoft Press to grow in traditional publishing and to adapt more quickly to new opportunities. We will continue to offer quality titles that we think meet our customers’ needs. Our focus on Microsoft technologies and tools will not change, nor do we foresee any changes to our current series and pedagogies at this time.

Q. Where can I find Microsoft Press books?

Microsoft Learning will continue to maintain the Learning Catalog that includes current and future Microsoft Press title information. O’Reilly will also feature Microsoft Press books on its Web sites, including aggregations by topic and by publisher, to make it easier to find the titles customers are interested in.

Q. When will changes be effective?

While we’re excited about the new partnership and wanted to share the information as soon as possible, changes in distribution are not happening until November 30, 2009 and some specific details are still being finalized.

Authors

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Q. Will Microsoft Press books look different?

No. The Microsoft Press brand will stay intact. Our cover designs may evolve over time, as they have done in the past, but the overall look-and-feel of our books will be the same.

Q. Will the ISBN assigned to a book change?

No. Amazon and other resellers will use the same information as they did before the transition and they will continue to list “Microsoft Press” as the publisher.

Q. How will this affect eBooks?

We anticipate that Microsoft Press books will move more rapidly into electronic formats, including device-specific formats.

Q. Will author-contracted royalty rates change

No.

Q. How will royalties be paid?

O’Reilly Media will begin paying royalties to Microsoft Press authors with the sales cycle ending in March 2010. Your first statement and payment from O’Reilly, if one is due, will be based on your standard contract terms.

Q. What about international publishing deals?

Existing foreign-rights agreements will remain in force and new agreements will continue to be negotiated.

Q. How will readers find information about my book on the Web?

Microsoft Learning will continue to maintain its Learning Catalog, including current and future Microsoft Press book information. O’Reilly will also feature Microsoft Press books on its sites, including aggregations by topic and by publisher – so, exposure of your book will increase.

Q. How will returns be handled?

To ease the transition for retailers, O'Reilly's distributor will begin accepting returns at the same time they begin shipping orders. This should prevent any unusual volume of returns relating to the change in distribution.

Q. Will the author ordering process change?

Your current author discounts won't change, but we'll provide updated contact information as the transition date nears.

Q. What if I have more questions?

Feel free to approach your Microsoft Press contacts with other questions.

Resellers

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Q. How will Microsoft’s relationship with O’Reilly impact resellers?

As a result of the new agreement and business model announced on September 24, 2009, vendor of record will change to O’Reilly Media, effective November 30, 2009, in the United States. Outside the U.S., updated information will be provided to resellers by both Microsoft Press and O’Reilly representatives. What about returns from bookstores? Current returns policies remain in force and all returns may be made to O’Reilly distribution channels after November 30, 2009, as needed.

Q. We regularly buy Microsoft Press books. Does our store need to do anything differently, what is changing?

While we’re excited about this strategic relationship and wanted to share the information as soon as possible, changes in distribution are not happening until November 30, 2009 and some specific details are still being finalized. You will be hearing from O’Reilly sales staff over the next few weeks with additional information to help make this a smooth transition and answer any questions you may have.

Q. We regularly buy Microsoft Press books. Will our discounts or terms change?

The O’Reilly sales team is working closely with the Microsoft Press staff to ensure a smooth transition for everyone. We do not anticipate major changes for any customer groups and expect to have communication out to existing Microsoft Press customers the first weeks of October 2009.

Q. I currently buy Microsoft Press titles from an international distributor. Will that change?

The O’Reilly International sales and operations teams are working closely with Microsoft Press staff to determine and finalize the transition dates and determine the extent of changes for international accounts. You can expect to hear additional information about the international transition within the first weeks of October 2009.

Q. I have other questions about transitioning my orders of Microsoft Press books, who can I call or e-mail?

Resellers should contact:
Mike Leonard, Director of Sales
O’Reilly Media, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA 95472
United States
Phone (800) 998-9938, ext. 7078
Fax (707) 829-0104
mleonard@oreilly.com

Microsoft and O’Reilly Media, Inc. announcement

Customers/Readers

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Resellers

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