When you are locked out of your $1000 worth Amazon library.

[taustin]

Originally Posted by Redcard

Actually, I don't know where you got that idea.. but breaking DRM is against the DMCA. There are exceptions for test cases and exceptions for when the technology that controls or uses the DRM is no longer feasible.. but you have to be in that "no longer feasible" state in order for that to apply.

Another close one is for removing DRM from ebooks when all versions of the ebook (and all types) have text to speech disabled or are incapable of being read via a screen reader.

Currently, removing DRM is considered circumvention, and thus is illegal.

Truth is, there's a conflict in DMCA. One part specifically allows stripping encryption for certain purposes, another bans the making or distribution (but not, sof far as I know, the possession) of tools by which to do so. This is a conflict that can only be resolved by Congress (which won't happen) or the courts, and there are no cases anywhere near the Supreme Court yet.

But the Library of Congress is currently reviewing the exemptions.

And the right to make archival copies - copies that are usable - predates the DMCA by a couple of decades.

The flat claim that it's illegal is simply not true in the US. Not yet, at any rate.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

I imagine 99% of Kindle users don't back up their purchases.
A major selling point of the Kindle is that (at the time unlike all other eReaders) it didn't need you to use a PC with it.
It is sold as a complete ecosystem, with Amazon storing your files for you.

From the Amazon Kindle page:
"Free Cloud Backup
We automatically back up your library in the cloud, so you never need to worry about losing your books. Re-download wirelessly anytime for free."

There's a sucker born every minute, and two to take him. ~ P.T. Barnum

[Barbara1955]

I just read some of the comments ... 1 said it happened to him! He couldnt get back into his account to use Gift Cards Until he moved!

[carld]

Originally Posted by JoeD

I'm not surprised they've disputed the transactions if amazon are refusing to provide any kind of reason for why they've been locked out nor if/when it may be resolved.

That's the part that got left out. I would be extremely surprised if Amazon just said "Sorry, there's nothing we can do," as the article implies. What was Amazon's response before he started challenging all his purchases?

As someone else asked: What happened during the intervening month?

[Andrew H.]

I'm pretty sure we're not hearing the whole story. And if I were spending $80/month (!) on Amazon, I would definitely back my books up.

[pidgeon92]

I think this person did something very, very bad to get their account blocked.

If indeed they have a Kindle, or other device with the app, they don't have any of their books on it? C'mon.....

[AlexBell]

Originally Posted by Redcard

Currently, removing DRM is considered circumvention, and thus is illegal.

Do you know of anyone who has ever been charged or sued for removing DRM for his or her own personal use?

Removing DRM from a file that one has bought and spent money on for ones own personal use cannot be shown to have done any harm to the vendor. So if one was charged or sued the case would be laughed out of court.

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

How is Adobe DRM any better?

DRM for ADEPT is account based, not account/computer. Amazon limits who can download what based on the account, and then the file is locked in to only be used by the machine it was downloaded by. With ADEPT, you can download on one machine, and copy it over to another authorized machine and have it work without a problem.

[Kevin8or]

Originally Posted by Nexutix

What are your alternatives to this? How do you manage your digital library in crisis-free state?

To answer the OP's original question, here's the process I suggest you use.

1. Download your purchases to your computer, not your device. All stores offer a way to do this.
2. Strip the DRM from your new e-book.
3. Import the book into a collection manager like Calibre.
4. Transfer a copy of your book to your e-reader.

A third-party plug-in is available for Calibre. With it, you can do (2) & (3) with the click of a button. Google the words "Apprentice Alf". We're not allowed to offer any further DRM assistance at mobileread.

This is a more cumbersome way to buy e-books. However, you'll always be in control of your library, and you can read your books on any device you choose.

For the books you already have, I suggest your run them through steps 2, 3, & 4. You can access and interact with your e-reader as if it were a typical USB drive. Move your shackled e-books from the device to your computer. Process them. Replace your corrupted e-books with clean ones.

[EowynCarter]

From what understand, someone hack the amazon account, so amazon lock it to prevent disaster. Now the actual owner is having trouble to re-claim his account.

It's not an amazon only problem. Even adobe DRM can mess up.
That's why my books are on my hard drive, after i get rid of drm. And backuped on my NAS hard drive.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

To answer the OP's original question, here's the process I suggest you use.

1. Download your purchases to your computer, not your device. All stores offer a way to do this.
2. Strip the DRM from your new e-book.
3. Import the book into a collection manager like Calibre.
4. Transfer a copy of your book to your e-reader.

A third-party plug-in is available for Calibre. With it, you can do (2) & (3) with the click of a button. Google the words "Apprentice Alf". We're not allowed to offer any further DRM assistance at mobileread.

This is a more cumbersome way to buy e-books. However, you'll always be in control of your library, and you can read your books on any device you choose.

It doesn't even need to be more cumbersome. Even step 1 can be done off your device; you don't need to send it to your PC first. I just import the book into Calibre directly off my Kindle, leaving the DRM-infested copy there, where it does me no harm, and ending up with a DRM-stripped copy in my Calibre library. Easy as pie.

[Kevin8or]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

I just import the book into Calibre directly off my Kindle, leaving the DRM-infested copy there, where it does me no harm, and ending up with a DRM-stripped copy in my Calibre library. Easy as pie.

Yes, that's another way to do it. Maybe even a better recommended starting place. I used to do as you do.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

From the Amazon Kindle page:
"Free Cloud Backup
We automatically back up your library in the cloud, so you never need to worry about losing your books. Re-download wirelessly anytime for free."

The only thing missing from the Amazon page is this:

Because Amazon is your friend and friends do not shaft friends, there is no need for you to do anything but trust Amazon. (Exceptions to this rule do apply. For more information, please see the fine print that absolves us from all liability regardless of how we shaft our friends.)

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

How is Adobe DRM any better?

Unlike Amazon DRM that is readable only by Amazon products, the Adobe DRM is readable by most, if not all, devices that handle DRMed ePub. Also, it has been my experience that every Adobe DRMed ebook I have bought has been downloaded to my computer and thus locally stored, even those I bought at B&N and Sony. Although with Sony 950 I can redownload from Sony's cloud service, I can also sideload the ebook from my PC. And my wife, who uses my Sony 505, which doesn't have wireless capabilities, can access the same books I can except that I need to sideload them.

One other thing. I don't know how easy it is to remove DRM from Amazon ebooks as I have never tried, but it is very easy to make an ebook with B&N's version of Adobe DRM compatible with what my Sonys can read as well as what a Kobo device can read.

Seems to me to be a big difference, even if not a perfect world.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I think this person did something very, very bad to get their account blocked.

What could possibly be so "very, very bad" regarding ebooks as to warrant denial of access to already purchased and paid for ebooks? My imaginaion simply cannot come up with such a scenario.