Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs)conducted a new survey to identify textbooks that exemplify the textbook industry’s publishing tactics. In the fall of 2006, they interviewed faculty members, walked through bookstores and interviewed bookstore staff to uncover textbooks that reveal six types of textbook industry gimmicks: increased prices; costly bundles; new covers, withdrawn old books; new types of bundles; deceptive low cost options and limited print runs to cut down the used book market. Their report is here.

Students don't want to pay for books, they're in business, so both side continue to spar. I'd like to see book costs rolled into course registration fees, to eliminate the jockeying, copyright infringment and general complaining.