The danger is that the convention may undermine e-commerce.

ECONOMIST: Regulating the Internet

Publishers have largely resisted e-book library lending because they're concerned it might undermine their own e-book sales.

CNN: E-book lending: Your public library's best kept secret?

But issues such as privacy or consumer protection that could undermine support for e-commerce need a different answer, albeit one that draws on laws and policies developed in the offline world.

ECONOMIST: Regulating the Internet