Hacks Amazon Kindle Hack: Read DRM-protected Mobipocket content

[Nate the great]

Version 6.0 has a bug under Vista but not XP. The USB drivers don't work quite right.

[carld]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

What version of Mobipocket do you have?

I have 6.0 on both desktop and laptop.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by carld

I have 6.0 on both desktop and laptop.

The current version is 6.2. You might try an upgrade.

http://www.mobipocket.com/en/Downloa...ailsReader.asp
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Dennis

[JSWolf]

But, 6.2 does not support the Kindle.

[carld]

I repeated the process using my XP laptop, same result. The scripts seem to work but the books can't be opened on the Kindle. Unless I'm missing something obvious there's something else going on. I'm guessing since Clevnet books are set to expire they're just different enough to make them incompatible with the Kindle, even after they're fixed.

[Leep]

I am using Mobipocket reader 6.2. While it does see my Kindle when it is plugged into the usb, very few of the books on my Kindle are recognized, and non of my library books. Therefore I email the awz version of the library books after I have converted them.

Can anyone verify that my assumption that mobi2mobi will not work to fix the titles on these books because they are still drmed?

cheers

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Leep

I am using Mobipocket reader 6.2. While it does see my Kindle when it is plugged into the usb, very few of the books on my Kindle are recognized, and non of my library books. Therefore I email the awz version of the library books after I have converted them.

Can anyone verify that my assumption that mobi2mobi will not work to fix the titles on these books because they are still drmed?

Out of curiousity, what is the extension of the files Mobi 6.2 doesn't see on the Kindle?

Mobi 6.2 here recognizes files with .mobi, .pdb, and .prc extensions as being possible books it can display. Amazon uses the .azw extension for files they offer for the Kindle, and even though they use the MobiPocket format, MobiReader won't know they are MobiPocket files.
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Dennis

[Leep]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Out of curiousity, what is the extension of the files Mobi 6.2 doesn't see on the Kindle?

Mobi 6.2 here recognizes files with .mobi, .pdb, and .prc extensions as being possible books it can display. Amazon uses the .azw extension for files they offer for the Kindle, and even though they use the MobiPocket format, MobiReader won't know they are MobiPocket files.
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Dennis

That's a good question. Surprisingly, it recognizes very few. As expected, none of the awz's, and non of my library mobipocket downloads; and less than 20% of my feedbook downloads. I've checked to make sure there are no filters turned on. The only possible thing I can think of is maybe it's books I download and emailed to the Kindle. - Sure beats me!

[carld]

With Leep's help to steer me in the right direction I've got my problem with Clevnet ebooks sorted out. It seems that when I ran the KindlePID script on Vista it gave me back an incorrect PID. I checked with Mobipocket 6.0 on my XP laptop, and found it gave a completely different number. I got the library to change the PID, and the books convert and work fine now.

[sassanik]

So the consensus is that it is not currently possible in a legal manner to read kindle books (ie books bought through amazon for the kindle) on another type of reader?

I know I would like to buy ebooks at the Amazon Kindle prices, but I don't want to shell out the $300 for a Kindle, when I am rather happy with my little EB 1150.


Amy

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by sassanik

So the consensus is that it is not currently possible in a legal manner to read kindle books (ie books bought through amazon for the kindle) on another type of reader?

The Kindle uses the Mobipocket format. You would need to convert the Mobi file into an IMP file the EB1150 can display, and that would require breaking the DRM, whether you bought the Kindle version from Amazon or a Mobipocket version from Mobipocket or someone like Fictionwise.

So yes, it's not possible to do it legally.

(And I believe you have a Kindle before you can buy Kindle books from Amazon, because the DRM is tied to a PID unique to your reader. No reader, no PID...)
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Dennis

[nekokami]

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, the legality of removing DRM for personal use is untested. However, there is still the problem that Amazon won't let you buy Kindle books unless you have a Kindle PID registered with them.

[Monty Grue]

I’d like to hear a response from Amazon before running the scripts. They probably won’t like it, it could take away revenue, but maybe it will be tolerated.

I’ve got a few DRM mobipocket titles and the option of mobipocket library books, but there are enough legitimate books currently available without having to use a conversion tool.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by nekokami

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, the legality of removing DRM for personal use is untested. However, there is still the problem that Amazon won't let you buy Kindle books unless you have a Kindle PID registered with them.

I don't believe you are mistaken. But "testing" it would require a court case to set the precedent, with attendant time time and legal expenses, and what happens if you lose?

There's a fair bit of stuff like this that probably wouldn't stand up in court, save that no one affected wishes to spend the time and money required to fight it.

In practice, if you remove the DRM on files for your own personal use, who will know or care? It's when you start sharing the unprotected files that risks appear.
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Dennis

[sassanik]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

In practice, if you remove the DRM on files for your own personal use, who will know or care? It's when you start sharing the unprotected files that risks appear.
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Dennis

Or worse try reselling them!

Amy