Is it possible to remove DRM from a file I did not purchase?

FacetiousKnave · 01-01-2023, 02:17 PM

As far as I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, you can only remove DRM from a file you have purchased since it is encrypted with your account/device ID.

So, I have a DRM protected file that I did not originally purchase, and I would like to know whether it is possible to de-DRM.

Thank you.

JSWolf · 01-01-2023, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FacetiousKnave

As far as I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, you can only remove DRM from a file you have purchased since it is encrypted with your account/device ID.

So, I have a DRM protected file that I did not originally purchase, and I would like to know whether it is possible to de-DRM.

Thank you.

You cannot remove the DRM on an eBook you did not purchase.

DNSB · 01-01-2023, 06:19 PM

Removing DRM from a ebook that you did not purchase is not something you should be doing and asking about it will definitely bring the greenies down on you.

Sirtel · 01-01-2023, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Removing DRM from a ebook that you did not purchase is not something you should be doing and asking about it will definitely bring the greenies down on you.

I wonder how one can even get such a file. Pirated books have their DRM removed by the uploader, AFAIK. Who would share a book with DRM intact, as there's no point?

Quoth · 01-02-2023, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I wonder how one can even get such a file. Pirated books have their DRM removed by the uploader, AFAIK. Who would share a book with DRM intact, as there's no point?

Friends or family members that don't know about DRM. It's a surprise to most people (that don't use Calibre etc) that they have to re-download all their ebooks if they get a new Kindle. They end up here if they've been using a Kindle and get some other make of ereader.

FacetiousKnave · 01-02-2023, 09:03 AM

In addition to Quoth's response, you'd be surprised how often it happens. Keep in mind that virtually anyone can upload any file to these piracy platforms and control over quality and DRM protection is non-existent. It's not like they have an employee who checks that each uploaded file meets the criteria. The only way files such as these end up been eventually removed is due to the fact that their users report them.

Quoth · 01-02-2023, 09:48 AM

Don't download from pirate sites.

FacetiousKnave · 01-02-2023, 09:51 AM

Sure, not that I am endorsing piracy. Just asking a technical question about DRM.

JSWolf · 01-02-2023, 10:37 AM

@slm, please edit your post. You've given too much detailed DRM removal information that's not allowed.

FacetiousKnave · 01-02-2023, 10:45 AM

If you're a moderator you could delete the whole thread, which I recently noticed goes against the guidelines. My bad.

theducks · 01-02-2023, 11:06 AM

The real offending post (how to) has been removed.

This thread is a learning experience on what should not be done.

I wish newbies (both to e-reading and the forum) would just lurk and read older posts. Many of the questions have been answered in the past (and some are no longer relevant because of evolution of the devices).

Tarana · 01-02-2023, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FacetiousKnave

As far as I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, you can only remove DRM from a file you have purchased since it is encrypted with your account/device ID.

So, I have a DRM protected file that I did not originally purchase, and I would like to know whether it is possible to de-DRM.

Thank you.

I would generally say no. [edited before moderator pointed it out]. There is specific info needed for each platform to remove DRM. So it's not a 'just drag it off the unit and you have access' thing. I sympathize with folks who not only lost someone through death or split up, but also lost access to their library, but these are things that need to be done in advance. Otherwise, you just have to buy it again.

01-01-2023, 02:17 PM	#1
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	Is it possible to remove DRM from a file I did not purchase? As far as I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, you can only remove DRM from a file you have purchased since it is encrypted with your account/device ID. So, I have a DRM protected file that I did not originally purchase, and I would like to know whether it is possible to de-DRM. Thank you. Last edited by FacetiousKnave; 01-01-2023 at 02:21 PM.

01-02-2023, 09:03 AM	#6
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	In addition to Quoth's response, you'd be surprised how often it happens. Keep in mind that virtually anyone can upload any file to these piracy platforms and control over quality and DRM protection is non-existent. It's not like they have an employee who checks that each uploaded file meets the criteria. The only way files such as these end up been eventually removed is due to the fact that their users report them. Last edited by FacetiousKnave; 01-02-2023 at 09:28 AM.

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01-01-2023, 06:19 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,288 Karma: 169098402 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Removing DRM from a ebook that you did not purchase is not something you should be doing and asking about it will definitely bring the greenies down on you.

01-02-2023, 09:48 AM	#7
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,094 Karma: 105211945 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Don't download from pirate sites.

01-02-2023, 09:51 AM	#8
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	Sure, not that I am endorsing piracy. Just asking a technical question about DRM.

01-02-2023, 10:37 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,786 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@slm, please edit your post. You've given too much detailed DRM removal information that's not allowed.

01-02-2023, 10:45 AM	#10
FacetiousKnave Unconscionable Posts: 89 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Helsinki Device: Kindle	If you're a moderator you could delete the whole thread, which I recently noticed goes against the guidelines. My bad.

01-02-2023, 11:06 AM	#11
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,070 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	The real offending post (how to) has been removed. This thread is a learning experience on what should not be done. I wish newbies (both to e-reading and the forum) would just lurk and read older posts. Many of the questions have been answered in the past (and some are no longer relevant because of evolution of the devices).

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