|
It looks like there will be downloadable content, in DRM or non-DRM protected epub and pdf formats. There is a user guide on Google Books for partners in the upcoming editions, and it includes this :
"Digital Rights Management for downloadable content
You can choose if you would prefer not to apply Digital Rights Management (DRM) software to the digital file download of your book. DRM is intended to make it more difficult for consumers to use purchased content in ways not authorized by its owner. If you choose to make your Google Edition available without DRM, then consumers will have more flexibility in using the content file.
Google will support Adobe ACS4 as its current provider of an industry-standard digital rights management (DRM) solution for downloaded files of Google Editions. Google will require users to link the Adobe DRM software in their Google Editions via a one-time authentication per reading system. These devices may then request ACS4 encrypted EPUB or PDF files via a Google-provided API."
So - looks like (for some content at least) we will be able to download epub or pdf for use offline. If this option is widely taken up by the partners, it means at last I will have another good source of current ebooks for my Sony. That should also be end of the virtual monopoly that Amazon/Kindle have. Bring it on!
|