[emellaich]

I'm just trying to educate myself on this issue, and was hoping someone else here would have the answer. The thing I'm trying to understand is this: what happens if the DRM provider disappears and who is that provider.

More specifically, if I jump ahead 10 years I would expect to see a different ebook universe. How would it work out for the nook? If B&N is still in business, but Adobe bows out does that affect access to nook ebooks? Or, if B&N bows out but Adobe is still around how does that affect things. It seems to me, that the answer depends on who actually runs/owns the DRM server.

Of course, sharp readers will notice from my profile that I am a Kindle owner. I don't have any special Kindle agenda here, and I'm not trying to pick on the Nook. The Kindle faces similar issues. In their case, Amazon provides both ownership of the format (mobi) and the actual book store. Therefore it all depends on Amazon. If Amazon changes its business model or format (as they have in the past) then their ebooks will be abandoned. I'm just wondering how this scenario plays out in the Nook world.

Thanks in advance for educating me.