Someone is clearly trying to cover their ass on this one. The remote deletion should never have been done. I think it was good to respond as they did to the situation and apoligize, etc. If the books were
sold illegally, than so be it. Just don't allow it to happen again.
Those who received the e-books obviously paid for them, and should have been able to keep them, as they would if they had bought a physical paper or hardback version. If anything, those who had them removed should be either refunded in full so they can purchase a paper or hardback version themselves, or be provided with the paper or hardback version shipped free of charge to satisfy the status quo for those who want it.
Oh well, such is life. This is one of many reasons why I deal with paper or hardback books, not versions requiring an electronic device to read, unless the book is on a CD or DVD, therefore incapable of being deleted. That is just my opinion though and you know what they say about opinions.