Kobo ePUB purchases and DRM

RareBird · 02-23-2012, 02:39 PM

So I've purchased a few books from Kobo now and I was wondering something about DRM. Let's assume that Kobo goes out of business (hopefully it will not). All of my purchases currently being stored by them would presumably no longer be available to me. I always download the Adobe DRM epub and store it on my laptop just in case (recently I had to sideload a book through adobe because the formatting of the kepub I downloaded when I synced my Touch was bad). Now let us also assume that my laptop decides to implode in a spectacular fashion and the drm epubs will be lost. However, not to worry because I, with remarkable foresight, backed them all up to CD/USB drive/external hard drive. On my new computer I copy these files and download Adobe Digital Editions and log in with my Adobe account. Here's the question: Will I be able to open said epubs on the new pc using digital editions? Thanks in advance.

AnemicOak · 02-23-2012, 02:56 PM

In theory yes as long as ADE on your new PC is activated to that same Adobe ID. Problems can occur when you forget your Adobe ID or don't have any activations left (more can be added, but folks have had problems getting it done). One friend of mine couldn't get her stuff to open and had to redownload it all despite having the correct ID. Much easier to remove the DRM and keep a backup copy for yourself. Last time I check removing DRM was legal in Canada if you're worried about that.

SF&F Reader · 02-23-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Last time I check removing DRM was legal in Canada if you're worried about that.

This will only be true until they pass Bill C-11

Quote:

. . . prohibited to circumvent digital locks even for lawful purposes. . .

jusmee · 02-23-2012, 06:27 PM

This is a problem with DRM that still puts people off the concept. People are used to the idea that when you buy something, like a book, it's yours forever. It can stay in your family and your grandchildren can inherit it - no matter how many companies involved in the production go under. With DRM, you can be left stranded, especially if the main company (Adobe in this case) goes under.

Maybe Adobe should be forced to put the "keys" in escrow, and they should be released if the company ceases to exist.

rashkae · 02-23-2012, 07:21 PM

I predict that Adobe will be shutting down it's DRM servers before Kobo goes out of business, but that's just as bad. No more PC or device activations when they do, and your backed up files aren't worth squat. If you really do intend to keep backups of your purchases, removing drm is the only way to actually do so. (just about every other 2nd player drm providers have shut down their drm servers, including Google and Microsoft. The Big 6 publishers will either abandon drm or abandon the market to Amazon lock in. Either way, Adobe won't have many customers soon.)

bob123 · 02-23-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF&F Reader

This will only be true until they pass Bill C-11

All the more reason to remove DRM now.

jusmee · 02-23-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

I predict that Adobe will be shutting down it's DRM servers before Kobo goes out of business, but that's just as bad. No more PC or device activations when they do, and your backed up files aren't worth squat. If you really do intend to keep backups of your purchases, removing drm is the only way to actually do so. (just about every other 2nd player drm providers have shut down their drm servers, including Google and Microsoft. The Big 6 publishers will either abandon drm or abandon the market to Amazon lock in. Either way, Adobe won't have many customers soon.)

But then, how will lending libraries be able to operate?

RareBird · 02-23-2012, 10:42 PM

I guess the take home message here is remove the DRM. Not something I honestly considered but you have all made valid points. I've heard calibre makes it easy. On the downside, I have been using DRM as the reason I can't read on my touch any of my wife's epubs she downloaded (in particular the Twilight books......I'd rather eat glass). Better make sure she doesn't get wind of it.

lmcread · 03-01-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob123

All the more reason to remove DRM now.

my noobie knowledge comes out now... how do you remove DRM ?

I am learning thru all the experts on this forum.

filmo · 03-01-2012, 01:48 PM

I don't know but Google knows where to find most anything.

PeterT · 03-01-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmcread

my noobie knowledge comes out now... how do you remove DRM ?

I am learning thru all the experts on this forum.

We can't say where... but try a Google search for Apprentice Alf ...

bob123 · 03-01-2012, 04:32 PM

Why is it that we are not allowed to say wear, when it is not even illegal in many places? And how is saying "Google Apprentice Alf" any better than providing a link to the download page?

PeterT · 03-01-2012, 06:29 PM

Please ask the Site Administrators; not me. I am merely following the rules.

bob123 · 03-01-2012, 07:08 PM

Yes I know.

murg · 03-01-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob123

Why is it that we are not allowed to say wear, when it is not even illegal in many places? And how is saying "Google Apprentice Alf" any better than providing a link to the download page?

It's probably something along the lines of: I can't tell you how to poison someone, but I'm sure that you can find the information you want at the Library.

02-23-2012, 02:39 PM	#1
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	Kobo ePUB purchases and DRM So I've purchased a few books from Kobo now and I was wondering something about DRM. Let's assume that Kobo goes out of business (hopefully it will not). All of my purchases currently being stored by them would presumably no longer be available to me. I always download the Adobe DRM epub and store it on my laptop just in case (recently I had to sideload a book through adobe because the formatting of the kepub I downloaded when I synced my Touch was bad). Now let us also assume that my laptop decides to implode in a spectacular fashion and the drm epubs will be lost. However, not to worry because I, with remarkable foresight, backed them all up to CD/USB drive/external hard drive. On my new computer I copy these files and download Adobe Digital Editions and log in with my Adobe account. Here's the question: Will I be able to open said epubs on the new pc using digital editions? Thanks in advance.

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02-23-2012, 02:56 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	In theory yes as long as ADE on your new PC is activated to that same Adobe ID. Problems can occur when you forget your Adobe ID or don't have any activations left (more can be added, but folks have had problems getting it done). One friend of mine couldn't get her stuff to open and had to redownload it all despite having the correct ID. Much easier to remove the DRM and keep a backup copy for yourself. Last time I check removing DRM was legal in Canada if you're worried about that.

02-23-2012, 06:27 PM	#4
jusmee Wizard Posts: 1,068 Karma: 203682 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Libre 2	This is a problem with DRM that still puts people off the concept. People are used to the idea that when you buy something, like a book, it's yours forever. It can stay in your family and your grandchildren can inherit it - no matter how many companies involved in the production go under. With DRM, you can be left stranded, especially if the main company (Adobe in this case) goes under. Maybe Adobe should be forced to put the "keys" in escrow, and they should be released if the company ceases to exist.

02-23-2012, 07:21 PM	#5
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,277 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	I predict that Adobe will be shutting down it's DRM servers before Kobo goes out of business, but that's just as bad. No more PC or device activations when they do, and your backed up files aren't worth squat. If you really do intend to keep backups of your purchases, removing drm is the only way to actually do so. (just about every other 2nd player drm providers have shut down their drm servers, including Google and Microsoft. The Big 6 publishers will either abandon drm or abandon the market to Amazon lock in. Either way, Adobe won't have many customers soon.)

02-23-2012, 10:42 PM	#8
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	I guess the take home message here is remove the DRM. Not something I honestly considered but you have all made valid points. I've heard calibre makes it easy. On the downside, I have been using DRM as the reason I can't read on my touch any of my wife's epubs she downloaded (in particular the Twilight books......I'd rather eat glass). Better make sure she doesn't get wind of it.

03-01-2012, 01:48 PM	#10
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	I don't know but Google knows where to find most anything.

03-01-2012, 04:32 PM	#12
bob123 Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 34996 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Cybook	Why is it that we are not allowed to say wear, when it is not even illegal in many places? And how is saying "Google Apprentice Alf" any better than providing a link to the download page?

03-01-2012, 06:29 PM	#13
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,693 Karma: 79983758 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Please ask the Site Administrators; not me. I am merely following the rules.

03-01-2012, 07:08 PM	#14
bob123 Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 34996 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Cybook	Yes I know.