<p>I sent DS, who is studying in Germany, a gift book to his Kindle (I have done this several times previously.) He says that he can’t download it because the book has not yet been released in Germany (and will not be for two months). Is this a general Kindle/Amazon/book publishing policy? If so, it makes a Kindle less attractive, since I think of it as something great for travel. Anybody with experience with this problem?</p>
<p>According to my neighbor who had a son heading to Italy…she had to load the kindle before he left. Not sure if it is Amazon policy or regular publisher.</p>
<p>If the book is on his computer can’t he transfer it to his Kindle???</p>
<p>I wonder if you could get around that by downloading the US version and then lending it to him? I have a Nook so don’t really know.</p>
<p>Apparently Amazon reads his IP address as being in Germany so he can’t get it on his computer either. I personally bought the real life version of this book, so I don’t want to buy another electronic copy (having already paid for the one I sent to him). I am curious about the general policy because I was going to buy one for myself for an extended trip to Spain and then a later one to Peru. I guess I would load it before going and then not plan to read any really new releases, but I do think that limitation reduces the utility of the device. (BTW, the book in question is “The Art of Fielding”, which I think is terrific.)</p>
<p>I’ve used my Kindle overseas on several continents, including Europe, and it has been fully functional and allowed me to access the same store and content as at home.</p>
<p>If he had an American Kindle and Amazon account - it shouldn’t matter. Amazon will recognize his device as simply roaming, and he should be able to proceed to use his device same way as he does at home, with the exception that if he wants to subscribe to periodicals and get them over the 3G signal, he will have to pay a data charge. He should have access to books that have already been purchased and paid for. If not - send a email to Kindle customer service (they are famously very good). Be sure to write Kindle CS directly, not blanket Amazon.</p>
<p>HOWEVER - if he owns a German Amazon account/Kindle device - then he will be subject to whatever local restrictions are there.</p>
<p>I agree about Kindle customer service…they are VERY good! I was able to get books in Mexico with no problem.</p>