Will Kobo Touch open B&N ePub?

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by Byron4120

I'm not sure as I just read one of their preview files. But the process is easy. Nook for PC will sideload onto the Kobo touch just fine from My Library - ebooks or My Library - my stuff (sideloaded files into Nook PC desktop). I'm not quite willing to commit some cash to find for sure!

There are some free books...that's what I've been using for my experiments.

[Nanopr]

Back to the original question... I asked Kobo Help Desk about this specific item and their answer was NO, the Kobo Touch does not open B&N books.

Hopefully they will address that in the near future if they want B&N customers to cross over to Kobo.

[PeterT]

Nanopr; remember the problem is that the DRM protection added by B&N is proprietary to them. Unless B&N is prepared to license to other eBook manufacturers their scheme, Kobo would not be able to support B&N books.

[taming]

Well, not exactly. It's a variation of Adobe DRM based on credit card #. From what I understand, it's possible to have a reader recognize both. That being said, I believe when B& N chose to use this, they may have had locking their customers into their devices in mind. It seems to be working out that way;-).

[Joe563]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Nanopr; remember the problem is that the DRM protection added by B&N is proprietary to them. Unless B&N is prepared to license to other eBook manufacturers their scheme, Kobo would not be able to support B&N books.

Apparently, B&N have licensed their version of DRM for epubs to Adobe so vendors could include both versions of DRMs in their products but some may not choose to do so for competitive reasons.

Regards,
Joe

[FJames]

Hmmm. just trying to picture how people would react if told that their local bookshop insisted on stamping their credit card number on any books they buy so they won't be tempted to loan them out.

[taming]

The CC# is encrypted and apparently does not involve the entire number.

[peitsao]

The CC# is encrypted and apparently does not involve the entire number

You need the entire CC# to remove the DRM.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by peitsao

You need the entire CC# to remove the DRM.

Nope, just the last eight digits.

[emoorman]

Let me see if I have this straight. I thought it was only Amazon who had a proprietary format. B&N has one, too? Sony? Kobo?

I'm not talking about old books or freebies, I mean new, just out books. I know everyone can read the free books.

If what I am thinking is correct, every store that sells books, as well as a reader, would like you to only buy books from then, so their readers are set up to just about force you to do that.

I thought epub was supposed to be a universal format. It seems, however, that there is epub for B&N, epub for Sony, epub for Kobo (kepub, whatever that is??) and finally epub for people who only read free or old books.

[Joe563]

EPUB is a universal format for ebooks. The problem is with Digital Rights Management (DRM). The EPUB standard does not include DRM so vendors must add this if they want some control over the copying of their ebooks. There are at least three DRM schemes for EPUBs: 1) Adobe, 2) Barnes & Noble, and, 3) Apple. Sony and Kobo both use Adobe DRM so you can read books purchased from the Sony store on Kobo ereaders.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Joe563

EPUB is a universal format for ebooks. The problem is with Digital Rights Management (DRM). The EPUB standard does not include DRM so vendors must add this if they want some control over the copying of their ebooks. There are at least three DRM schemes for EPUBs: 1) Adobe, 2) Barnes & Noble, and, 3) Apple. Sony and Kobo both use Adobe DRM so you can read books purchased from the Sony store on Kobo ereaders.

B&N's DRM is from Adobe as well, it's different in that it uses password encryption as opposed to being tied to an Adobe ID. In theory any device using the current Adobe SDK could also open B&N books, unless the manufacturer decides to disable that option.

[Joe563]

"B&N's DRM is from Adobe...". No, it is the reverse, Barnes and Noble have licensed their version of DRM to Adobe so the more recent versions of the Abobe SDK have two DRM schemes. It is up to individual vendors as to whether they will use both schemes on their devices.

[PeterT]

I actually think that the scheme is probably based on the old Peanut Reader that was acquired by FictionWise who in turn were acquired by B & N.

I still have books purchased for my old Palm Pilots of various vintages that are protected by this scheme; I can still unlock them using the Name and CC number that was used to buy those books.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Joe563

"B&N's DRM is from Adobe...". No, it is the reverse, Barnes and Noble have licensed their version of DRM to Adobe so the more recent versions of the Abobe SDK have two DRM schemes. It is up to individual vendors as to whether they will use both schemes on their devices.

It uses Adobe content server for the DRM with Adobe encryption methods, in my mind that makes it Adobe DRM. The only thing that makes it the same as eReader/PeanutPress DRM is that it uses the CC# and your name for the encryption, however it can also use anything else any vendor wants to use for the password. B&N did a deal with Adobe because then they don't have to pay the same fees as other vendors using content server. Folks from Adobe have been on here and commented about this.