Secure Mobipocket Decoder is no more...

Aenea · 09-26-2007, 02:44 AM

Hi there,

Well, as some of you already know I had to take down my web page with the decoder on it because I received a take-down letter from a Dutch law-firm which was hired by Mobipocket France.

As a result I will probably face huge lawyer bills in the near future and since I'm un-employed at the moment that will be really troublesome.

I noticed that, according to my logfiles, 1000's of people downloaded it, which is nice, so people can start giving it to each other. What I really don't understand is the fact that I spent a better part of a week on it (no work -> lots of time) and I asked for donations and nobody, really nobody bothered to do just that. No, I don't want large sums, but if everyone just had sent me a buck or two it would have been nice...

Aenea

igorsk · 09-26-2007, 05:56 AM

Wow, this really sucks. My Dutch is a bit rusty, what did they actually specify as the offence? I don't think that you had any copyrighted code over there and AFAIK breaking DRM is not illegal in EU yet. I suggest you to contact EFF, they should be able to help you.

nekokami · 09-26-2007, 08:28 AM

I missed the request for donations. How do you want to receive them?

BKeeper · 09-26-2007, 10:25 AM

I missed it too. How can I donate?

Aenea · 09-26-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Wow, this really sucks. My Dutch is a bit rusty, what did they actually specify as the offence? I don't think that you had any copyrighted code over there and AFAIK breaking DRM is not illegal in EU yet. I suggest you to contact EFF, they should be able to help you.

Well, apparantly there's a new law in the Netherlands since a year which kinda specifies that you are not allowed to provide any tool to circumvent a DRM. But the text is pretty vague and has never been tested in court, but I might be the damn test case....

Aenea

Aenea · 09-26-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

I missed the request for donations. How do you want to receive them?

People never read README's huh?

Well, the only way I know is thru PayPal at alysa@xs4all.nl

Aenea

nekokami · 09-26-2007, 11:23 AM

I haven't even installed your code, I just wanted to know how to help.

Do you actually have a summons to appear in court?

Aenea · 09-26-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

I haven't even installed your code, I just wanted to know how to help.

Do you actually have a summons to appear in court?

Nope, not yet, they are pretty quiet at the moment, I really hope it won't get that far.
Thanks for your support though!

Aenea

BKeeper · 09-26-2007, 11:39 AM

I didn't use your code either.
Regarding the likelihood of further legal action, I don't think they will proceed or bother you anymore. Just let them know you have complied.
It is terribly expensive to litigate abroad. (hell, it's expensive to litigate everywhere).

Thanks for your work and dedication Aenea.

NatCh · 09-26-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aenea

... I really hope it won't get that far.

The fact that you complied with the demand to remove the tool ought to help, hopefully they want a test case where the defendant tells them to stick it. They usually want iron-clad, can't be lost cases for that sort of thing. Here's hoping.

splat · 09-26-2007, 02:12 PM

Very sorry to hear this, it came in very handy (v3 that I tried). *cough*Would anyone be able to PM me a copy of the most recent version*cough*

JSWolf · 09-26-2007, 03:59 PM

Version 0.4 has no more functionality then 0.3. 0.4 was just written so it used no code from iRex and you had to already have the jar files from the Java MobiPocket reader for it to work.

Harpgliss · 09-26-2007, 08:40 PM

Hi,

This situation is unfortunate.

I myself just use Isilo on my pad for reading books and such so had no need for this tool you assembled.

Publishers need to realize they would sell more books if they forgo the DRM that they insist discourage piracy.

In reality, it just discourages the adoption of a format that has had difficulty being accepted already.

David

catter · 09-28-2007, 10:14 AM

Hi there,

I'm also very interested to get rid of the DRM in my (legally obtained) Mobipocket ebooks.

Has anybody still a copy of mb-04.zip?

I could upload it to a anonymous filehoster like rapidshare to help it spread.

I was not able to find it in file sharing networks either.

Thanks so far...

HarryT · 09-28-2007, 10:24 AM

Please note that use of such software is a criminal offence in some countries, including the United States. Please ensure that it is legal for you to use such a tool before doing so.

09-26-2007, 02:44 AM	#1
Aenea Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 18142 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Device: iRex iLiad	Secure Mobipocket Decoder is no more... Hi there, Well, as some of you already know I had to take down my web page with the decoder on it because I received a take-down letter from a Dutch law-firm which was hired by Mobipocket France. As a result I will probably face huge lawyer bills in the near future and since I'm un-employed at the moment that will be really troublesome. I noticed that, according to my logfiles, 1000's of people downloaded it, which is nice, so people can start giving it to each other. What I really don't understand is the fact that I spent a better part of a week on it (no work -> lots of time) and I asked for donations and nobody, really nobody bothered to do just that. No, I don't want large sums, but if everyone just had sent me a buck or two it would have been nice... Aenea Attached Thumbnails

09-26-2007, 11:39 AM	#9
BKeeper Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 728 Join Date: Jul 2006 Device: Kindle PW	I didn't use your code either. Regarding the likelihood of further legal action, I don't think they will proceed or bother you anymore. Just let them know you have complied. It is terribly expensive to litigate abroad. (hell, it's expensive to litigate everywhere). Thanks for your work and dedication Aenea. Last edited by BKeeper; 12-13-2007 at 06:36 PM.

09-28-2007, 10:14 AM	#14
catter Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: N800	Availability Hi there, I'm also very interested to get rid of the DRM in my (legally obtained) Mobipocket ebooks. Has anybody still a copy of mb-04.zip? I could upload it to a anonymous filehoster like rapidshare to help it spread. I was not able to find it in file sharing networks either. Thanks so far...

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09-26-2007, 05:56 AM	#2
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Wow, this really sucks. My Dutch is a bit rusty, what did they actually specify as the offence? I don't think that you had any copyrighted code over there and AFAIK breaking DRM is not illegal in EU yet. I suggest you to contact EFF, they should be able to help you.

09-26-2007, 08:28 AM	#3
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I missed the request for donations. How do you want to receive them?

09-26-2007, 10:25 AM	#4
BKeeper Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 728 Join Date: Jul 2006 Device: Kindle PW	I missed it too. How can I donate?

09-26-2007, 11:23 AM	#7
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I haven't even installed your code, I just wanted to know how to help. Do you actually have a summons to appear in court?

09-26-2007, 02:12 PM	#11
splat Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 348 Join Date: Dec 2006	Very sorry to hear this, it came in very handy (v3 that I tried). coughWould anyone be able to PM me a copy of the most recent versioncough

09-26-2007, 03:59 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,972 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Version 0.4 has no more functionality then 0.3. 0.4 was just written so it used no code from iRex and you had to already have the jar files from the Java MobiPocket reader for it to work.

09-26-2007, 08:40 PM	#13
Harpgliss Member Retired Posts: 149 Karma: 6287 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Hudson,Mi. Device: TH55	Hi, This situation is unfortunate. I myself just use Isilo on my pad for reading books and such so had no need for this tool you assembled. Publishers need to realize they would sell more books if they forgo the DRM that they insist discourage piracy. In reality, it just discourages the adoption of a format that has had difficulty being accepted already. David

09-28-2007, 10:24 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Please note that use of such software is a criminal offence in some countries, including the United States. Please ensure that it is legal for you to use such a tool before doing so.