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Old 06-23-2010, 04:38 PM   #10
BooksOnBowser
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Posts: 36
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Device: Kobo Libra h2o
I have gone for EPUB and a Sony Reader as I believe that EPUB has a chance to become the standard for ebooks for all the reasons above.

I think what will happen is that there will be 2 camps left, Amazon & EPUB, in the same ways as Apple & the Ipod haven't removed all other music players from the market (you can still buy creative, and numerous chinese makes), I don't believe that Kindle will wipe the floor will all other formats.

On the DRM side, it is important to remember the difference between an ebook and a 'realbook'. With a real book you are given a physical item you can hold and touch, which can be lent to friends etc.

With an ebook you are effectively acquiring a license from the publisher to access the 'software' (the ebook) on your 'hardware' (the reader) in the same you acquire a license from Microsoft/Apple for their operating systems, you never 'own' Windows you merely have a license to use it from Microsoft.

I'm afraid the answer is this, if you want to be able to hand your book around to friends you have to buy a book, not a license for your reader.

DRM is a blunt tool currently to deal with the threat of piracy (and we know from Pirate Bay and ripped MP3 that piracy is a real issue - if people can get stuff for free they generally will - accepting of course that most people here on the boards care passionately about reading and authors), if DRM were removed something else would take it's place to ensure the rights of the publisher are upheld.
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