[Boston]

While a consequence is that it is now more difficult for Kindle owners to read DRMd mobi books from other sources, it seems to me that the real motivation for taking this action is to prevent iPod owners who aren't legally entitle to purchase from the Amazon store from doing so.

The existence of these tools has been no secret from Amazon. There were posts about people now having access to using the store when they opened it up iPhone access. At the same time, a new scripts was developed to take advantage of this and Amazon soon took steps to try and hide the serial numbers. I think the timing is not coincidental.

Amazon's strength is its store that its been able to build because of its strong relationship with the publishers. A price is that they need to make the publishers feel comfortable that the industries regional distribution rights are being upheld.

I think Amazon is more interested in keeping the publishers happy than going after its customers. While this move doesn't make me happy (and would make me think twice about my next reader), I think that the motivation might/could be a little different than what it appears.