I disagree with the author here. I think Amazon strikes a good balance for this v1 product. Unlike iTunes, digital media purchased on Amazon is stored in your account on their servers. If you lose your device in the future, you can download books from your library for free to a replacement device - in perpetuity (in contrast, if you lose an iTunes dowloaded song - Apple says "tough luck" - and you have to buy it again).

Amazon DOES support a minimum level of sharing of media - I have multiple Kindles in my account (for different family members). Since they are all part of our family's library, any one in our family can download these media to their Kindle to read.

I agree, it would be better to have an ability to transfer media to another user (delete from my devices and library, and add to someone else's). 20 years hence, I would imagine that my online digital library at Amazon will be itself quite a valuable personal asset. When I die, do I get to pass that on to my heirs? Can I sell my account to another person?

Once lawmakers understand how much is at stake for individuals (thousands of dollars of digital assets per person), I would hope they will be compelled to enact legislation protecting our investments.