Gemstar eBook has stopped selling eBook reading devices, and effective July 16, 2003, will halt eBook content sales. They report that they “were not able to obtain the size and revenue necessary to support the current eBook operations in today's difficult business climate.”

For the next three years, Gemstar eBook intends to give current eBook users access to previously purchased content through eBook Online Bookshelves, and provide the Personal Content feature available through the web bookstore. Users who have prepaid for periodical subscriptions or monthly content plans will receive refunds for the unused portions of their pre-payments.

During the transition, Gemstar eBook will determine whether it will continue to operate the eBook servers that support these services, or to shut the servers down entirely. Gemstar eBook intends to provide users with advance notification of any shutdown.

Gemstar eBook offers 944 science fiction and fantasy titles, typically priced from $1.49 to over $12.

For additional information about eBook's continuing operations, eBookusers should consult the Gemstar eBook web site http://www.gemstar-ebook.com.

Posted June 19, 2003.