[wallcraft]

Did you use Windows Adobe Digital Editions to register an AdobeID before buying from Sony? If not then I think you need to ask in the Sony subforums about how to get out of the Sony-only trap you are probably in. What happens if you try to open your Sony ePubs using Windows Adobe Digital Editions?

It isn't piracy to strip the DRM from ebooks you bought. However, it is illegal in the US to write (or host) software that allows you to do so and it may also be illegal to tell you how to use it.

Calibre does not strip DRM (encryption). It does not have to do so if the DRM is already setup for the Sony (e.g. buying ePubs from Sony or with a registered AdobeID). Otherwise, you have to strip the DRM before invoking Calibre.

I'm not sure that stopping the Sony eBL running automatically prevents you from downloading Sony ebooks. You can download them for the Sony Windows Viewer (eBL has to be running to do this, but don't attach your Reader to the PC) and then exit the Sony app and later use Calibre to transfer these to your Reader.