how to tell which books have DRM?

timpearson26 · 06-20-2011, 07:30 AM

Is there a way to tell which books I have purchased are DRMed? I just purchase books from Amazon. Should I assume that all of the books are DRMed?

I use Calibre. Is there a way to have the books listed by which ones are DRMed and which ones are DRM free?

I am really asking this b/c I just used the plugin in Calibre to remove the DRM from an amazon book but it seemed too easy. Is there a way I can tell that it actually worked?

neilmarr · 06-20-2011, 07:41 AM

Hya Tim: If you have the latest version of Calibre (download at http://www.calibre-ebook.com), you'll see a section in the toolbar called 'Get Books'. There you can clearly see which books and publishers listing titles are using DRM, which is pretty neat because DRM is a nasty trick. Cheers. Neil

DiapDealer · 06-20-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

I am really asking this b/c I just used the plugin in Calibre to remove the DRM from an amazon book but it seemed too easy. Is there a way I can tell that it actually worked?

If you can open and read the book with calibre's viewer, it doesn't have DRM. It gives you a DRM error message if it does have DRM.

If you're unclear whether the original had DRM, delete the ebook in question from your calibre library, disable the plugin, re-import the ebook and see if you get the DRM warning when you try to view it.

This way, you'll know if the plugin is working, but really.... yes, it's that easy.

Don't forget to re-enable the plugin.

Hellmark · 06-20-2011, 08:38 AM

One way to see if it has DRM, for Amazon books, is to goto the page for the book and see if it says "Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited". If it states any number, it has DRM, but if it says unlimited then it is DRM free. However you'll likely find that almost all books from amazon have DRM.

As far as checking to see what has DRM and what doesn't in Calibre, try viewing the ebook. If I remember right, it should throw an error, or just not open, the one with DRM. Similarly, you won't be able to convert it to another format.

timpearson26 · 06-20-2011, 10:22 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I guess it is that easy then b/c I can read it on the Calibre reader.... sweet!

crich70 · 06-20-2011, 10:40 AM

I tend to assume most of Amazon's ebooks have DRM. The exceptions being those that are free PD books. I mean if they're listed as free and are in the Public Domain then why have them DRM'd? Though of course I could be wrong about that.

timpearson26 · 06-20-2011, 10:49 AM

I just did what DiapDealer suggested and yes, when I tried to read the book it gave me an error message. So yes, it is working. Great! And a lot easier than I would have thought!!

DiapDealer · 06-20-2011, 10:50 AM

@crich70: You're right, most Amazon stuff is DRM'ed. But there's really no clear rhyme or reason to what might be DRM-free. I've been pleasantly surprised quite a few times.

crich70 · 06-20-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timpearson26

Is there a way to tell which books I have purchased are DRMed? I just purchase books from Amazon. Should I assume that all of the books are DRMed?

I use Calibre. Is there a way to have the books listed by which ones are DRMed and which ones are DRM free?

I am really asking this b/c I just used the plugin in Calibre to remove the DRM from an amazon book but it seemed too easy. Is there a way I can tell that it actually worked?

One way would be to try opening the ebook in Mobipocket reader. DRM'd Amazon ebooks won't open in the Mobipocket Reader any more than non-free mobipocket's will open in the Kindle. There is a reader app that you can download from the mobipocket website.

abookreader · 06-20-2011, 11:10 AM

Yes, the plug-ins from the end user standpoint really are that easy. Install them and they do all the work as you add the books in. The volunteers who have made that possible for us are at the top of some of my favorite people lists.

Welcome to MobileRead Tim.

susan_cassidy · 06-20-2011, 11:40 AM

I recently bought a bunch of Aaron Elkins books from Amazon, and all the earlier ones (from the 80s and 90s) were DRM-free.

justapuppy · 06-20-2011, 12:52 PM

Hi there, daft question (potentially). Why do you want DRM-free books? I'm wondering if it's about converting kindle files to epub or something?

PaulineDesigns · 06-20-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justapuppy

Hi there, daft question (potentially). Why do you want DRM-free books? I'm wondering if it's about converting kindle files to epub or something?

For me, it's because there are various ways you can loose access to the books you buy if you use DRM the way the companies want you to. I've been reading ebooks for over 10 years and I have lost content I've paid for through company closures, non-backwards compatible DRM, buying a new computer or device and being unable to authorize it, and books being pulled because the rights expired. Now I only buy DRM-free ebooks and make sure to download and backup immediately. DRM stripping is much easier now than 'back when' but I prefer to support the publishers & authors who are willing to go DRM-free.

avantman42 · 06-20-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timpearson26

I use Calibre. Is there a way to have the books listed by which ones are DRMed and which ones are DRM free?

I've found that books that I imported when the plugin wasn't installed are listed as "AZW" format, whereas books with DRM stripped are listed as "mobi" format. It should be possible to add a column to show which format the book is.

That won't be perfect, since non-DRM books that haven't been through the plugin will be listed as AZW, but it will at least tell you which books definitely don't have DRM.

Penforhire · 06-20-2011, 03:46 PM

The usual reason is to want them to be functional in the event Amazon (for Kindle files) goes out of business, changes their DRM and decides to screw earlier users, or just to read on other devices.

06-20-2011, 07:30 AM	#1
timpearson26 Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 252616 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: ipad	how to tell which books have DRM? Is there a way to tell which books I have purchased are DRMed? I just purchase books from Amazon. Should I assume that all of the books are DRMed? I use Calibre. Is there a way to have the books listed by which ones are DRMed and which ones are DRM free? I am really asking this b/c I just used the plugin in Calibre to remove the DRM from an amazon book but it seemed too easy. Is there a way I can tell that it actually worked?

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06-20-2011, 07:41 AM	#2
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Hya Tim: If you have the latest version of Calibre (download at http://www.calibre-ebook.com), you'll see a section in the toolbar called 'Get Books'. There you can clearly see which books and publishers listing titles are using DRM, which is pretty neat because DRM is a nasty trick. Cheers. Neil

06-20-2011, 08:38 AM	#4
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	One way to see if it has DRM, for Amazon books, is to goto the page for the book and see if it says "Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited". If it states any number, it has DRM, but if it says unlimited then it is DRM free. However you'll likely find that almost all books from amazon have DRM. As far as checking to see what has DRM and what doesn't in Calibre, try viewing the ebook. If I remember right, it should throw an error, or just not open, the one with DRM. Similarly, you won't be able to convert it to another format.

06-20-2011, 10:22 AM	#5
timpearson26 Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 252616 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: ipad	Thanks for all the responses. I guess it is that easy then b/c I can read it on the Calibre reader.... sweet!

06-20-2011, 10:40 AM	#6
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I tend to assume most of Amazon's ebooks have DRM. The exceptions being those that are free PD books. I mean if they're listed as free and are in the Public Domain then why have them DRM'd? Though of course I could be wrong about that.

06-20-2011, 10:49 AM	#7
timpearson26 Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 252616 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: ipad	I just did what DiapDealer suggested and yes, when I tried to read the book it gave me an error message. So yes, it is working. Great! And a lot easier than I would have thought!!

06-20-2011, 10:50 AM	#8
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,389 Karma: 203720150 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	@crich70: You're right, most Amazon stuff is DRM'ed. But there's really no clear rhyme or reason to what might be DRM-free. I've been pleasantly surprised quite a few times.

06-20-2011, 11:10 AM	#10
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Yes, the plug-ins from the end user standpoint really are that easy. Install them and they do all the work as you add the books in. The volunteers who have made that possible for us are at the top of some of my favorite people lists. Welcome to MobileRead Tim.

06-20-2011, 11:40 AM	#11
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I recently bought a bunch of Aaron Elkins books from Amazon, and all the earlier ones (from the 80s and 90s) were DRM-free.

06-20-2011, 12:52 PM	#12
justapuppy Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Sony PRS650	Hi there, daft question (potentially). Why do you want DRM-free books? I'm wondering if it's about converting kindle files to epub or something?

06-20-2011, 03:46 PM	#15
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	The usual reason is to want them to be functional in the event Amazon (for Kindle files) goes out of business, changes their DRM and decides to screw earlier users, or just to read on other devices.

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