Amazon’s Kindle Matchbook bundling program allows customers to get free or discounted digital upgrades of their past print book purchases. But what about readers who still shop at their local bookstore? Or who have a print collection prior to their Amazon purchases?

BitLit is a simple and free way for publishers to offer readers bundled eBooks regardless of where or when they bought their print copy. And for readers, it’s a free smartphone app that you use to prove and register  ownership of your print book.

Once to a reader has registered their print edition through BitLit, they can downlaod a free or discounted eBook edition from BitLit’s secure servers to their Kobo, Nook, iPad, or other eReading device.

BitLit is a good solution for readers who love both print and digital books, and publishers who want to offer their readers bundled print and digital books. You can sign on for the beta edition releasing soon at http://www.bitlit.com/readers/register.

How It Works

1. You download the BitLit app on your Smartphone.
2. Book Recognition: You take a photo of the cover of your book using the BitLit app’s onscreen guidelines.
3. Owner Certification: Clearly write your name on the copyright page of your book and snap a photo using BitLit. This process registers the print edition to you.
4. Get Your EBook: You’re now ready to download your discounted eBook using BitLit. Once you have acquired your eBook, you can read it on the device of your choice e.g. Kobo, Nook, Kindle or iPad.

Several publishers have already signed on to bundle their books through BitLit, including Nimbus Press, O’Reilly Media, Chicago Review Press and Poisoned Pen Press.

So tell us, authors: Do you see this as a way to sell more books by making sure your print readers are carrying you around in their digital library, too?