Probably a dumb question, but ...

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

use nrapallo's conversion tool (lit2imp) to convert them in literally about 3 clicks and 15 seconds (alternatively, you can also get mobipocket books, and convert them, if lit is not available). that way you are sure you'll be able to read your book in the future if you get a different device ; the .imp format is closed and proprietary and not good at all for archiving. plus, that means you can buy books in a lot more places, even the shops which don't sell .imp format.

Yep, what she said, that is, use nrapallo's conversion tool (lit2imp) to convert them in literally about 3 clicks and 15 seconds (link included now)!

[zelda_pinwheel]

thanks nick ! i should have posted the link, you're right, but i'm having a busy day !

[stoogeswoman]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i would recommend that instead of purchasing .imp format books, you get .lit format (MS Reader) instead, remove the drm, and use nrapallo's conversion tool (lit2imp) to convert them in literally about 3 clicks and 15 seconds (alternatively, you can also get mobipocket books, and convert them, if lit is not available). that way you are sure you'll be able to read your book in the future if you get a different device ; the .imp format is closed and proprietary and not good at all for archiving. plus, that means you can buy books in a lot more places, even the shops which don't sell .imp format.

OK, is there anything at all illegal or unethical in removing the DRM? I don't really know anything about it except a few arguments I've seen here in other threads about it. I don't want to do anything that might land me in Sing Sing.

[sassanik]

Originally Posted by stoogeswoman

OK, is there anything at all illegal or unethical in removing the DRM? I don't really know anything about it except a few arguments I've seen here in other threads about it. I don't want to do anything that might land me in Sing Sing.

The answer is yes and no.

Yes its techincally illegal to strip DRM off. However most of us will agree that its not a huge issue unless you are planning on re-selling the un-DRM'd book, that is VERY illegal and will get you in trouble.

If you are just removing the DRM to convert the book to another format so you can read it, its technically illegal, but chances of you getting in trouble with the law for it? Highly unllikely.


I don't consider it to be unethical, unless of course you are reselling the book. If it just for your reading enjoyment? That doesn't seem unethical to me.

Amy

[stoogeswoman]

Originally Posted by sassanik

The answer is yes and no.

Yes its techincally illegal to strip DRM off. However most of us will agree that its not a huge issue unless you are planning on re-selling the un-DRM'd book, that is VERY illegal and will get you in trouble.

If you are just removing the DRM to convert the book to another format so you can read it, its technically illegal, but chances of you getting in trouble with the law for it? Highly unllikely.


I don't consider it to be unethical, unless of course you are reselling the book. If it just for your reading enjoyment? That doesn't seem unethical to me.

Amy

Hmm, well, I'm certainly not standing in judgment of anyone else, and if you choose to do that, it's your prerogative. But if I'm kind of a nitpicker for staying on the right side of the law, so unless someone can show me a difference between "technically illegal" and "actually illegal" that would hold up in court, I think I'll pass.

[Jadon]

The way copyright and the technical restrictions around it work, most people break the law multiple times every week, through format shifting, or forwarding an article in an email, or hanging a comic cut out from the newspaper on the fridge, or something else. If you use a computer, it's pretty much guaranteed you're technically breaking the law.