And in this corner....

THR.com April 5 post, " E-book idea was lit a long time ago", explains how the battle lines are drawn in ebookland.

Excerpt: Discovery Communications chairman and founder John Hendricks waited 17 years for the moment when Amazon and Sony would battle for dominance in the world of portable electronic book readers.

That's how long ago Hendricks filed for a patent on what he called the Everybook, which now appears to be quite similar to the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader.

Now Discovery has sued Amazon, alleging patent infringement.The lawsuit came after Discovery asked Sony and Amazon to pay royalties and both balked.

As Sony watches from the other side of the ropes.