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Originally Posted by rlauzon
(like when Mobipocket's DRM servers crash, or when a company goes out of business).
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That is correct. And that is also the reason why DRM is only easy and secure (for the customer) if bought at big companies like Amazon (Mobipocket).
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Try reading that DRMed eBook on a reader that Mobipocket doesn't support (which is most eBook reading devices) and see how easy and hassle-free it is.
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It won't be a problem with fictionwise, because they offer different file types. It is however a problem with mobipocket, because they only offer .prc-files. But I know that before I buy a book at mobipocket. If I won't take that chance, I buy it at fictionwise or other stores, that let me choose (and switch) between different file formats.
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Originally Posted by Xenophon
Lucky for me that my three main sources of books are all DRM-free -- Baen, Gutenberg, and Fictionwise multi-format (in that order).  |
Sure, stores offer books that can only be used on certain devices or with certain software. They discriminate against some operating systems, hardware or software. But books always discriminate against something or someone. Books are not available in all languages. Books might not be always available everywhere. Or think about software or especially games. Most games only run on a PC, not a Mac, not a PDA, not a ... you name it.
I do not like DRM either. But so far I do not see an alternative for authors and publishers. Unprotected ebooks can be copied indefinitely. Paper books cannot. There has to be some kind of protection against unauthorized use of books. Do you have a better idea?
Alan