Apple's iBooks Fairplay DRM circumvented

[pdurrant]

It is now possible to remove the DRM from epub ebooks bought in Apple's iBooks store.

"Brahms", has recently released a new version, 3.3, of his Requiem software, which has been able to remove DRM from music and videos bought in the iTunes Music Store for a long time.

This new version can also remove the DRM from Apple's epub format ebooks.

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[melmac]

Would it be likely that this will be incorporated into future Alf releases? I'd rather not install more software than necessary

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by melmac

Would it be likely that this will be incorporated into future Alf releases? I'd rather not install more software than necessary

Who knows? From what I've seen, this is a Java-based solution, so I wouldn't expect a Calibre plug-in version anytime soon.

Also, Apple seem to be fairly vigorous in their defence of FairPlay, so there's no telling how long it will continue to work.

[ProfCrash]

So use it fast IBook buyers.

[Andrew H.]

I wonder if this will affect the popularity of iBooks?

[Penforhire]

Doubt it. The vast majority of e-reading people I know are not conscious about DRM, only the selection of a given store.

[calibrated]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

I wonder if this will affect the popularity of iBooks?

I also doubt it. Amazon still controls the majority of the e-book market, and iBooks is an iOS-exclusive, Apple-only thing.

[DiapDealer]

If anyone could go to the iBook store and purchase ebooks, then I could possibly see the news bumping their popularity, but you still need an iOS device to even shop at the iBooks store, don't you?

Still, I imagine there are some people who might consider jumping from their iOS Kindle app to the iBooks app now that they're secure in the knowledge that they can back-up their purchases to use as they see fit.

[ATDrake]

You can buy iBooks via the iTunes app on a computer, it's just you can't read them there. I know this because I have a bunch of freebies from them on my Mac, and absolutely no compatible iDevice to read them with (nor any intention of getting one soon).

Almost all my freebies are duplicates of the publisher promos from the other stores, but I'll have to give this app a try, if only to see how well it works, while it still works.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

You can buy iBooks via the iTunes app on a computer, it's just you can't read them there. I know this because I have a bunch of freebies from them on my Mac, and absolutely no compatible iDevice to read them with (nor any intention of getting one soon).

Interesting. Good to know. I'd consider checking it out, but that iTunes PC app is just so damn big and unwieldy... especially when ebooks would be the only thing I would consider using it for. Kinda like using a 16lb sledge to tap in finishing nails.

[calibrated]

Thinking about it, I'm not sure why this would make a huge difference, since all you'd end up with is a de-DRMed ePub, and the iBooks selection isn't as good as you can find at B&N or Google Books. As it is, you can already get the iBooks UI experience with de-DRMed epubs from those two stores, if that's what floats your boat.

It's good to have portability and more bookstores to choose from, but right now, I'm just not feeling it.

[leebase]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Still, I imagine there are some people who might consider jumping from their iOS Kindle app to the iBooks app now that they're secure in the knowledge that they can back-up their purchases to use as they see fit.

People like me. I prefer the iBooks app to the Kindle app. I only read on my iPad or iPhone. However, I've mostly bought from Amazon due to their DRM being cracked.

Will I _definitely_ start buying from the iBookStore? Maybe not, but I'm much more likely too now.

Lee

[ProfCrash]

I would keep an eye on how long the hack works. Apple tends to be more aggressive in fixing those loop holes.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I would keep an eye on how long the hack works. Apple tends to be more aggressive in fixing those loop holes.

True indeed.

Apple have updated iTunes several times to stop previous versions of Requiem working for music and video (according to the wikipedia article).

[John F]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

True indeed.

Apple have updated iTunes several times to stop previous versions of Requiem working for music and video (according to the wikipedia article).

Is that article correct? I thought I've read on this forum multiple times that Fairplay hasn't (never has been) cracked?