I noticed a book on the Connect site today, published by ereads.com.

I checked the ereads.com site and saw that their multiformat does not seem to include RTF. However it does include LIT.

Then I found free software, ABC Amber LIT Converter, which apparently easily converts LIT to RTF.

Can it really be this easy to get content for our Sony Readers from sites that sell LIT format books? What about other formats? If so, I really want to know, because it significantly expands my/our options for content.

Do you think that Sony is just converting ereads.com books (with permission) into RTF format and selling it on the Connect site, or is there probably an arrangement to create it in the Sony DRM? If there is, then maybe it means more content will become available on Connect.

Oops, when it says PRINTING DISABLED on the multiformat description, does that cause conversion tools like this to be disabled too?

Can it really be this easy to get content for our Sony Readers from sites that sell LIT format books? What about other formats? If so, I really want to know, because it significantly expands my/our options for content.
It is usually very easy to convert from LIT to HTML (using the original software ConvertLIT) or directly from LIT to RTF (using some third party tool that builds upon the ConvertLIT sources, like the ABC Amber Converter). It may be illegal to use in some countries (if you are not allowed to circumvent the protection), but if you originally bought it, it may just as well be considered fair use.

It is usually very easy to convert from LIT to HTML (using the original software ConvertLIT) or directly from LIT to RTF (using some third party tool that builds upon the ConvertLIT sources, like the ABC Amber Converter). It may be illegal to use in some countries (if you are not allowed to circumvent the protection), but if you originally bought it, it may just as well be considered fair use.

In cases like this where the law is pratically unenforceable, it comes down to individual morals. I have no problem with breaking drm to read a book I have already paid for. Nor would I worry about downloading a book I already own in print form.

All in all, its a wooly area, like listening to MP3s of CDs you own, and recording TV programs.

David Rothman makes a good comment on Teleread:

http://www.teleread.org/blog/?p=5632

Holy crap! Does this happen often around here?

Bye. Nice knowing you.

In cases like this where the law is pratically unenforceable, it comes down to individual morals. I have no problem with breaking drm to read a book I have already paid for. Nor would I worry about downloading a book I already own in print form.

All in all, its a wooly area, like listening to MP3s of CDs you own, and recording TV programs.
Ditto.

Bye. Nice knowing you.
Huh? Michele, you are not leaving us, are you?

Sorry, that freaked me out. I've never had a post picked up and discussed elsewhere, and I misinterpreted his hostile tone on first reading.

'S cool now.

Sorry, that freaked me out. I've never had a post picked up and discussed elsewhere, and I misinterpreted his hostile tone on first reading.

'S cool now.

It is a scary concept, though. It turns out that yes, converting copy-protected books into other formats is possibly illegal. Apparently, you can't even count on a fair-use defense (I was talking to a lawyer involved in the RIAA music-sharing cases, and he said there's been no determination of whether turning a CD you own into an MP3, for personal consumption, is legal or not - and that doesn't even involve the evil DMCA!).

But yeah, David is just hostile towards the law that makes it illegal to do things like that (and even illegal to discuss them, as we're doing! At least in the US...)

But don't let it scare you too much. It's impossible to truly enforce, and I've been discussing format conversion for a while now, including LIT files. If you want to keep converting them, you might check out vvv's BookDesigner 4.0, since it creates LRF files (the Reader's native file type). It's harder to use than ABCLit, but has many more options.

(There's my thread about this here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7875) .)

Thanks, bingle, I'll look into it.

Maybe I didn't make it clear that the books I was referring to were offered for sale in multi-format, including: Rocket/REB1100 (RB) , Adobe Acrobat (PDF) , Palm Doc (PDB) , Microsoft Reader (LIT) - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) , hiebook (KML) , iSilo (PDB) , Mobipocket (PRC) , OEBFF Format (IMP).

I think it's obvious that the publisher intends wide-spread use of the text in a range of ebook formats. Let's just assume that for now. How best to use purchased multiformat texts for Reader? PDF isn't a very good option, and RTF isn't offered.

Thanks, bingle, I'll look into it.

Maybe I didn't make it clear that the books I was referring to were offered for sale in multi-format, including: Rocket/REB1100 (RB) , Adobe Acrobat (PDF) , Palm Doc (PDB) , Microsoft Reader (LIT) - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) , hiebook (KML) , iSilo (PDB) , Mobipocket (PRC) , OEBFF Format (IMP).

I think it's obvious that the publisher intends wide-spread use of the text in a range of ebook formats. Let's just assume that for now. How best to use purchased multiformat texts for Reader? PDF isn't a very good option, and RTF isn't offered.


Are the books in protected format? If they are, it's still illegal to transform them into another format - despite what the publisher wants :-) I'm not familiar with most of those formats, so I don't know if they include DRM or not.

But anyway, to answer your question, I've had good luck with converting .LIT files to other formats (both RTF and BBeB.) I haven't had a lot of luck with PDFs.

Are the books in protected format? If they are, it's still illegal to transform them into another format....In the U.S. -- other countries may have different laws. :wink:

The DMCA is definitely a scary thing, but it has not been ruled on that it is constitutionally kosher to limit your fair use rights as far as I know. I'm not aware of anyone being taken to court for violating the DMCA's provision on bypassing encryption/security for an item typically covered under their own personal fair use. The high profile cases that have involved the DMCA and fair use were cases against parties that were producing tools/instructions allowing others to violate the DMCA. Like a company makes a tool to strip PDF DRM and distributes it, there would be a DMCA case against them. The people using the tool for personal fair use do not have a case against them.

In other words as a personal user, don't worry about it too much yet. :)

I believe format shifting is legal for personal use in many countries.

If we are allowed to format shift the tracks from our music cds and put them on our iPods as mp3's where's the difference in format shifting a book/ebook?
:thinking:

Hi, Michele. Yes, Alex is right. Along with other e-reading fans in the States, including me, you're a victim of the DMCA--not a perp. The post was supportive of you. Stick around MobileRead, and if you want to read the TeleRead blog as well, then so much the better.

Meanwhile, let me agree with others who say the DMCA isn't being enforced. But it could be, and I'd rather not be a test case. This is indeed a very scary law. And I'm not kidding when I talk about Hollywood-bought copyright laws. On the issue of copyright term extensions, you can see some specifics at:

http://www.teleread.org/blog/?p=1841

Thanks, and happy e-reading.

David

(who, by the way, got rid of the extra L in your name in the TeleBlog post)

It pretty much comes down to getting caught and the odds are greatly in your favor of not getting caught converting a book you paid for into a format of your choosing.

I agree with an earlier poster in that I too have absolutely no moral qualms in changing the format of a book I paid for to one i prefer.

I am thankful to countries that sell or produce freeware that allow me to do this and cannot be shut down by our laws.

So should I assume that a free program would be capable of converting multiformat LIT files (unencrypted), but not Secure Microsoft Reader files (encrypted) - such as ebooks offered on a site like Fictionwise?

Michele — Yes.

I find the ConvertLIT GUI easier and better to use than clit but, of course, I aint posting a link here. You should find it if you search in Google. It's the DukeLupus one.

ABC Lit converter - which is also free - don't do a very good conversion in my opinion. It needs too much editing on the resultant file.

Also, as others have said - BookDesigner 4 will also do this for you but I haven't got around to trying this yet.
:happy2:

This is really interesting.

Okay, I purchased an emagazine from fictionwise today, in multi-format. I downloaded in 3 formats, to test: LIT, PDF, PDF with large-print.

Using ConvertLIT GUI, I converted the LIT file to HTM, then using htmltortf to RTF. I then increased the font size in the document and it reads fine on the Reader. But in practice, it's a pain to find the beginning of each story, article, etc, without first paging through 600 individual pages and "marking" the beginning of each.

I was pleased to see that the PDF files were formatted as single pages. The magazine format is *much* more accessible in PDF form, because there are links to the invidual articles, stories, etc. in the Table of Contents, and the large print version is great for the Reader. It reads as normal-sized type in the Reader.

For the longest time I thought the Reader was crashing when I tried to open one of these PDF files, but it turns out that there was a 3-4 minute delay upon opening it. After that it seems to be less slow. There are a lot of links embedded in the text, which is what makes the PDF format so perfect for the Reader.

The Reader really lends itself to an e-magazine like Asimov's or Analog - it's perfect for reading short stories and articles while on the go.

(Does this belong in a different thread?)

Michele, I think most people follow your procedure for reading DRM-protected content on devices that don't support DRM and/or don't offer the e-book in their content store.

ContentLIT (and also its offsprings) is intended exactly for this purpose and in this regard you should be OK (in most countries at least) by exercising your fair use rights.

I've not used any of the tools mentioned, nor do I own any lit books to test them on, but if a good conversion is possible I'd buy some. Personally I don't buy DRM stuff unless a) I know in advance I can remove the DRM, or b) I'm 100% sure I'll be able to use said format on any device, forever. So ironically, the ability to remove DRM results in an increase in sales to THIS customer. I don't redistribute - I just like interoperability.

Anyway, I noticed you converted from .lit to HTML... HTML has the ability to hotlink within the document - does it lose the linking in the .lit when it converts to HTML? There must be a way to convert from HTML to PDF, I would think, that would likely keep the linking? For larger works that I hope to read on the Reader (when I finally get one), linking within them would be critical (like being able to hop where I need to in a Shakespeare "complete works" type of deal).

One could also alleviate this problem somewhat if Sony would just put a search capability into with a firmware update or something. :( Remembering a part of a quote from a book is frustrating if you don't have any idea where exactly to find it. Does the Connect software you use to manage your library on the PC have a search capability, at least?

Anyway, I noticed you converted from .lit to HTML... HTML has the ability to hotlink within the document - does it lose the linking in the .lit when it converts to HTML? There must be a way to convert from HTML to PDF, I would think, that would likely keep the linking? For larger works that I hope to read on the Reader (when I finally get one), linking within them would be critical (like being able to hop where I need to in a Shakespeare "complete works" type of deal).
When you convert it (back) to HTML you have all the linking of the original LIT file. Basically a LIT file is nothing but a container around some Open eBook (OEB) content which is based on XML / HTML.

For the longest time I thought the Reader was crashing when I tried to open one of these PDF files, but it turns out that there was a 3-4 minute delay upon opening it. After that it seems to be less slow.Are you using the Connect Software to load the file on the device, or a memory card?

I ask because you ought to see faster results if you run your PDF through the Connect Software and let the PC do all that formatting/indexing for you, as opposed to the memory card route, which makes the much slower processor in the Reader itself do that work. :beam:

Are you using the Connect Software to load the file on the device, or a memory card?

I ask because you ought to see faster results if you run your PDF through the Connect Software and let the PC do all that formatting/indexing for you, as opposed to the memory card route, which makes the much slower processor in the Reader itself do that work. :beam:No, I'm not using a memory card. I'm not sure what you mean by running the PDF through the Connect Software, though. I just dragged the file into the Connect library, and then into the Reader. Does "importing" it do something different? I've been wondering for awhile how to get the Connect software to prepare the files, because I'd read something about that capability before I got my Reader.

What you describe (dragging the file into the Connect Library, and then onto the Reader or a card in the Reader, or just a card attached to the PC, actually) should get the Connect software to do its thing. It does its processing when you drop the file in the Library, as near as I can tell.

I'm not sure why it would take the Reader time to open the rascal after that, unless it's a particularly big or complex file. Hmm.

I think it's a pdf thing. Rtf files are much faster when imported through the Connect software because it does the book preparation on the PC instead of the Reader.

But pdf files probably work about the same either way, don't they?

I think pdfs that are primarily text formatted for the Reader page size should do pretty well, but complex pdfs will take a while to process. Definitely can be in the minutes. When I did that, I'd load it on the SD card, pop it in, maybe open the document (can't remember if it processes when it sees it or after opened), and then got busy with something else while I waited.

This is probable an inappropriate forum for my little rant, but the discussion of Michel(l)e's possible illegal activity makes me want to firebomb someone's corporate headquarters. The whole DMCA and Digital Rights Management issue reminds me of a friend's reaction to his last purchased DVD. It had a little trailer that was pretty much an add exhorting people to not steal the product. The product he had just bought. Or was it on a DVD he got from Netflix? Why do so many companies assume that their customers are criminals?! I nearly *want* to make as many copies of something when I read, or hear, see something that reminds me not to break the law! Why do we have Blockbuster Video, Netlix,and the public library system if DMCA, RIAA, and every other ridiculous acronym keep trying to stop people from using their products?! I'm sorry, I really should just hit the cancel button, but after searching this site and trying to decide if I should buy this amazing SONY device, I'm going to save my money, and head to my local library

I would really appreciate it if I weren't singled out anymore when discussing file conversion. There are areas on this forum where it is discussed quite freely and in great detail without any one user's name coming up.

My original post concerned conversion details, and I wasn't expecting or asking for a discussion of ethics or legality using myself as an example, regardless of the position taken by the poster.

I would really appreciate it if I weren't singled out anymore when discussing file conversion. There are areas on this forum where it is discussed quite freely and in great detail without any one user's name coming up.

My original post concerned conversion details, and I wasn't expecting or asking for a discussion of ethics or legality using myself as an example, regardless of the position taken by the poster.Awwww, I was hoping you'd be the test case, the cause celebre, our Jean D'Arc of ebooking. :happy2:

The whole DMCA and Digital Rights Management issue reminds me of a friend's reaction to his last purchased DVD. It had a little trailer that was pretty much an add exhorting people to not steal the product. The product he had just bought.

Yeah, if he had just downloaded that movie, he wouldn't have to deal with that ;-)

BitTorrent treats its customers better than the MPAA. I wonder which one will succeed.