The online book store will launch with about 10, 000 titles, with each book available for approximately 20-25% below regular retail price for the physical copy.

ENGADGET: Sony Reader details and pics

Sony's move is also seen as a response to the widely perceived success of Amazon's Kindle e-book reader - although so far the online store has declined to reveal how many devices it has sold.

BBC: Sony to back open e-book format

The books finally became available in digital form in 2012 via the online store Pottermore, with Rowling, who shrewdly held onto e-book rights rather than sign them over to her publishers, pocketing much of the sale price.

FORBES: JK Rowling