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ProDigit · 01-22-2009, 01:52 PM

Here's my take on it:

Technically removing DRM could be as illegal as modifying copyrighted software, or using cracks on them.
Even if it is for personal use.
The awkward thing is, that one is not allowed to modify any copyrighted work of software one has purchased(unless noted in the software agreement, or agreed upon by the author), but one is able to for instance:
Buy a car, take it apart, or modify it.(build in a turbo, or spoilers,Pimp it!, etc...)

If you do it for personal purposes, no cop in the world will break into your house with and arrest you for it. I guess once they get nose of something like this via other people that gotten their books from someone, you could get into as much trouble as distributing illegal software (whether or you sell the de-DRM'ed ebooks or do it for free).

Like above,I'm no lawyer, but I think removing DRM in essence is illegal,as it can be seen as modifying copyrighted software. And an ebook is no software program, but it is software nonetheless.

In essence if you bought a DRM-ed mobi file, the file you bought is to be used only for those machines which read Mobi files (often limited to an amount of ebook readers per purchase). If you want an ebook to be displayed on a Sony reader, you'll need to buy an LRF formatted book.
reason,the hardware manufacturer pays money to these epub/mobi fileformats (unless they own the patent on them), as well as the publisher pays for the format he uses to convert books in.

This indeed brings up a lot of frustrations for users,and a 'one ebook version' would be greatly appreciated. But I don't see Sony putting their LRF file format in public domain or create an open version for it, for other manufacturers to use freely..
many manufacturers want a piece of the pie concerning their fileformat.

Perhaps the law is not yet defined as 'removing DRM is illegal or not', I don't know. But I think that it won't take very long before it gets there.

I think removing DRM could fall into the same "crime" category as 'downloading non-licenced movies', or 'jaywalking on an empty road'.

Not particular the ones the justice system will pursue.

01-22-2009, 01:52 PM	#51
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	Here's my take on it: Technically removing DRM could be as illegal as modifying copyrighted software, or using cracks on them. Even if it is for personal use. The awkward thing is, that one is not allowed to modify any copyrighted work of software one has purchased(unless noted in the software agreement, or agreed upon by the author), but one is able to for instance: Buy a car, take it apart, or modify it.(build in a turbo, or spoilers,Pimp it!, etc...) If you do it for personal purposes, no cop in the world will break into your house with and arrest you for it. I guess once they get nose of something like this via other people that gotten their books from someone, you could get into as much trouble as distributing illegal software (whether or you sell the de-DRM'ed ebooks or do it for free). Like above,I'm no lawyer, but I think removing DRM in essence is illegal,as it can be seen as modifying copyrighted software. And an ebook is no software program, but it is software nonetheless. In essence if you bought a DRM-ed mobi file, the file you bought is to be used only for those machines which read Mobi files (often limited to an amount of ebook readers per purchase). If you want an ebook to be displayed on a Sony reader, you'll need to buy an LRF formatted book. reason,the hardware manufacturer pays money to these epub/mobi fileformats (unless they own the patent on them), as well as the publisher pays for the format he uses to convert books in. This indeed brings up a lot of frustrations for users,and a 'one ebook version' would be greatly appreciated. But I don't see Sony putting their LRF file format in public domain or create an open version for it, for other manufacturers to use freely.. many manufacturers want a piece of the pie concerning their fileformat. Perhaps the law is not yet defined as 'removing DRM is illegal or not', I don't know. But I think that it won't take very long before it gets there. I think removing DRM could fall into the same "crime" category as 'downloading non-licenced movies', or 'jaywalking on an empty road'. Not particular the ones the justice system will pursue. Last edited by ProDigit; 01-22-2009 at 02:20 PM.