Calibre file conversion legal?

raceon4 · 09-17-2010, 01:52 PM

Just curious about the legality of converting to file formats such as mobi using calibre. I ask this because the way I understand it, some of the file formats like mobi are proprietary.

kovidgoyal · 09-17-2010, 01:57 PM

The fact that a file format is "proprietary" doesn't mean that you cannot convert to it.

raceon4 · 09-17-2010, 01:59 PM

Ok I am new to this so I wasn't sure exactly. I know for instance that there are possible issues with sound i.e. converting to MP3 or AAC because of certain codecs not being freely available. I wasn't sure whether there were the same types of problems for book conversions as well.

kovidgoyal · 09-17-2010, 02:07 PM

Those problems happen because the software used to convert the formats is based on proprietary software. calibre's MOBI engine was developed completely independently of Mobipocket (now Amazon's) code, by reverse engineering.

raceon4 · 09-17-2010, 02:21 PM

Ok I think I understand. So you take a look at the code and write a whole new set of code to do the same thing thus, getting around the proprietary software. Sorry for the prying but just curious as I couldn't find anything on this topic. So I assume that at one time Mobipocket allowed for their stuff to be reverse engineered because I know some companies won't allow you to do that. Just curious about how this stuff works. Thanks for the responses.

kovidgoyal · 09-17-2010, 02:57 PM

No we didn't look at the code, we looked at actual MOBI files and reverse engineered their structure.

itimpi · 09-17-2010, 02:59 PM

Note, however, that conversion relies on you having DRM free copies of ebooks which you have the right to use.

In some countries it is technically illegal to remove DRM even if you have bought the book, although many feel that they have a moral right to use a book they have used on all the devices they own.

raceon4 · 09-17-2010, 04:15 PM

Ok that makes sense now. Thanks. Another question on legality. Are there issues for displaying some of these proprietary formats using the reader found in Calibre? Again just curious.

kovidgoyal · 09-17-2010, 04:33 PM

No, there aren't

DoctorOhh · 09-18-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceon4

Ok that makes sense now. Thanks. Another question on legality. Are there issues for displaying some of these proprietary formats using the reader found in Calibre? Again just curious.

A mighty strange set of questions.... are you writing a report for school or an article for possible publication? Or maybe thinking of recommending this software for your companies use?

Just curious.

09-17-2010, 01:52 PM	#1
raceon4 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Calibre file conversion legal? Just curious about the legality of converting to file formats such as mobi using calibre. I ask this because the way I understand it, some of the file formats like mobi are proprietary.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
rar file conversion	tponzo	Calibre	4	07-05-2010 05:06 PM
File conversion from device	ccowie	Calibre	1	01-02-2010 05:45 PM
Torrent file conversion?	jimisparks	Sony Reader	3	10-15-2009 06:19 PM
PDF File Conversion	rozie123	Sony Reader	3	07-23-2008 11:20 AM
sony file conversion help	hamster	Workshop	3	11-08-2007 02:46 PM

09-17-2010, 01:57 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,222 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The fact that a file format is "proprietary" doesn't mean that you cannot convert to it.

09-17-2010, 01:59 PM	#3
raceon4 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Ok I am new to this so I wasn't sure exactly. I know for instance that there are possible issues with sound i.e. converting to MP3 or AAC because of certain codecs not being freely available. I wasn't sure whether there were the same types of problems for book conversions as well.

09-17-2010, 02:07 PM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,222 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Those problems happen because the software used to convert the formats is based on proprietary software. calibre's MOBI engine was developed completely independently of Mobipocket (now Amazon's) code, by reverse engineering.

09-17-2010, 02:21 PM	#5
raceon4 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Ok I think I understand. So you take a look at the code and write a whole new set of code to do the same thing thus, getting around the proprietary software. Sorry for the prying but just curious as I couldn't find anything on this topic. So I assume that at one time Mobipocket allowed for their stuff to be reverse engineered because I know some companies won't allow you to do that. Just curious about how this stuff works. Thanks for the responses.

09-17-2010, 02:57 PM	#6
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,222 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No we didn't look at the code, we looked at actual MOBI files and reverse engineered their structure.

09-17-2010, 02:59 PM	#7
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	Note, however, that conversion relies on you having DRM free copies of ebooks which you have the right to use. In some countries it is technically illegal to remove DRM even if you have bought the book, although many feel that they have a moral right to use a book they have used on all the devices they own.

09-17-2010, 04:15 PM	#8
raceon4 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Ok that makes sense now. Thanks. Another question on legality. Are there issues for displaying some of these proprietary formats using the reader found in Calibre? Again just curious.

09-17-2010, 04:33 PM	#9
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,222 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No, there aren't