Hacks kindlepid/kindlefix 0.2

[TadW]

Originally Posted by Thomas Ryan

BTW - don't admit to being a criminal on-line.

She didn't. She only said she obtained legitimately books by "purchase or for free" from "sources other than the Kindle Store." Mobileread is a well-known source.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by tompe

Circumvent does not imply remove. So I do not get yout point. The DRM scheme is the type meta data plus the encryption.

OK.. What if I went at this from another direction. What if rather than modifying a header in the ebook I replaced the software in the Kindle with the Java version of the Mobipocket reader software. The same version of software the reads mobipocket encrypted ebooks on cell phone and PDAs?

No I am able to read the ebook on the Kindle. I have not changed the ebook at all, but I have put software on MY kindle that can read a mobi pocket book.

Have I "circumvented" the DRM?

BOb

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Thomas Ryan

Kindle reading is not limited to Amazon-only purchases - as you note in your 3rd paragraph about your own legitamate content acquisition. Nobody is lying. You're falling apart; take a deep breath. BTW - don't admit to being a criminal on-line.

The DMCA almost certainly reads that 'it's a violation to "bootleg" DRM'ed content onto your Kindle'. Like it or not. Believe it or not. Somebody bothers to enforce it or not.

Amazon said - mobipocket is one store, not for Kindles. Amazon.com is another store, for Kindles (and now iPhone). The devices are different, the files are "different". Somebody figured out that the difference is 28 bytes, and how to align those 28 with a program named kindlefix. We wouldn't be having this discussion if the difference was "the whole file" is different, and nobody figured out to make them compatible.

In fact, though, non DRM mobi files from mobipocket are supported by Amazon on Kindle, so you could thank them for that. Ha. Ha. Lighten up.

You ask "why did they (be so mean-spirited, and "unfair")..."? Start another thread. This one is about kindlefix.

Ummm ... no I didn't ask that question at all. And, this discussion is about kindlefix. Specifically whether it is a crime to use kindlefix.

Mobipocket is "one store not for Kindles." Then, please tell me why there are some books available there that are regular *.prc files and readable on the Kindle with nothing necessary on the part of the user except to put them there. I know, I've purchased them. They exist.

Either Amazon is attempting to control the user's access to books, or they are not. Sorry, you can't have it both ways.

And, stating that I have purchased books from sources other than Amazon (such as Mobipocket and a number of other sites) does not make me a criminal. Nor does stating that I have purchased books from sites other than Amazon make me a criminal .... even if I have read them on my Kindle. Shocking, I know, but quite true. There are other stores that offer content .... I'm just guessing that you aren't aware of that.

The only question is how far Amazon is willing to go to prevent people who have a Kindle from purchasing and reading that content.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Have I "circumvented" the DRM?

Maybe depending on how we define the terms. Why is the question interesting?

You also probably have broken some copyright.

[Patricia]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

The only question is how far Amazon is willing to go to prevent people who have a Kindle from purchasing and reading that content.

Surely it would be unwise for Amazon actively to prevent people from using legally-purchased ebooks on kindles?
The ensuing publicity would hardly benefit Kindle sales, and it would be an imprudent move, given that they have just released a new model.

[InlawBiker]

Originally Posted by Patricia

Surely it would be unwise for Amazon actively to prevent people from using legally-purchased ebooks on kindles?
The ensuing publicity would hardly benefit Kindle sales, and it would be an imprudent move, given that they have just released a new model.

I think we're making the mistake of applying common sense to the DMCA.


Greg.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by tompe

Maybe depending on how we define the terms. Why is the question interesting?

You also probably have broken some copyright.

Ok, add to the hypotethtical that Mobipocket licensed me the software. So, it's use is 100% legal.

The question is interesting because the end result is the same.

1. I am able to read the ebook on my Kindle.
2. The book has been paid for, or legally borrowed from a library.
3. The ebook if uploaded will not work on anyone else's kindle/device.

The protection of the DRM is intact and the copyright owner is protected.

BOb

[slayda]

Maybe someone should write the script entitled "damnDRMfix.py".
Note that this will be a different script from "damnDRMcircumvent.py" and "damnDRMcircumcise.py" or even "damnDRMcastrate.py".

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Patricia

Surely it would be unwise for Amazon actively to prevent people from using legally-purchased ebooks on kindles?
The ensuing publicity would hardly benefit Kindle sales, and it would be an imprudent move, given that they have just released a new model.

I agree. But, that is what they are in point of fact doing. Unwise or not, that's it in a nutshell.

And, here's what's galling .... a person can be in violation of the DMCA even if there is no copyright violation whatsoever.

As I am reading and researching this POS legislation, I am discovering that if I purchase a DRM book or a DRM DVD or CD, and I play it or view it on a device without the appropriate DRM decoding built into it, and I do anything at all to make that media work on that device .... even if I only do it for my own use of that media that I freaking purchased and never distribute it (much less sell it), but just create something that allows me to view the content that I bought, I'm subject to prosecution.

Now, I will tell you what that makes me, personally, want to run out and do .... if I'm going to be a criminal anyway, why the hell should I purchase the content from the publisher?? Why not just get something that costs a whole lot less and already has the DRM stripped from a pirate?

And, you know something? That's exactly what a lot of people are going to do ... if they haven't already started doing it, and that's what's going to kill the music industry, and online publishing, and other forms of digital media as well.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Now, I will tell you what that makes me, personally, want to run out and do .... if I'm going to be a criminal anyway, why the hell should I purchase the content from the publisher?? Why not just get something that costs a whole lot less and already has the DRM stripped from a pirate?

Have you seen this?

http://paulasimoesblog.wordpress.com...al-either-way/

BOb

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Have you seen this?

http://paulasimoesblog.wordpress.com...al-either-way/

BOb

Oh .... THAT is perfect!! I am tweeting that now, because it is true, and that is exactly what is wrong with the system.

If I purchase the analog version, then I get to keep it. If I purchase the digital version then I get to use it "maybe" for a while .... how long I don't know and they won't tell me.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The protection of the DRM is intact and the copyright owner is protected.

It depends on how the DRM system is defined ot it is intact or not. I would say that there is a case for it not being intact.

The copyright owner is not protected since he might not have given you permission to read the book on a Kindle.

On the other hand maybe your reprogrammed device is not a Kindle so then it it no problem.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by tompe

It depends on how the DRM system is defined ot it is intact or not. I would say that there is a case for it not being intact.

The copyright owner is not protected since he might not have given you permission to read the book on a Kindle.

On the other hand maybe your reprogrammed device is not a Kindle so then it it no problem.

No, that's mixing DRM and copyright and the two are not the same. If the author and publisher have published the book and placed it for sale, and if I have purchased that book, then I have the right to read that book.

Where DRM comes into play is not with the copyright, because it is clearly possible to violate one and not the other, but with the publisher deciding that the content delivery system is going to be closed and proprietary.

I pay for the book, but I choose to read it on the device I own rather than purchasing a new device to read that one book, then I will violate the DMCA by making that book readable on my device, but I will not have violated anyone's copyright.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

And, for once, I entirely agree with you. So, why did they make the Kindle able to read *.prc files?? Why make it read or view HTML?? If they wanted to limit the Kindle to *.azw files, why not just do that and be done with it?

Why lie to the consumer and advertise that the Kindle is not limited to books purchased at the Amazon Kindle Store, when they plan to criminalize anyone who reads a book on their Kindle that is not in *.azw format?

So, I've really got to ask myself why I ever recommended the Kindle as a reading device ... hell, why do I own three of them? I've got a lot of books that I obtained, legitimately, either by purchase or for free, that were from sources other than the Kindle Store.

I'm sorry .... but that is just plain creepy. I do not remember giving Jeff Bezos authority to determine what I am and am not allowed to read, on my Kindle or anywhere else.

Amazon made the Kindle able to read Mobipocket format eBooks that have no DRM. For DRMed eBooks they want you to get them from Amazon. All the Mobipocket eBooks on MR that are in the public domain in the USA are 100% legal to use with the Kindle. Also Baen's eBooks are legal as well. What I think would bother Amazon is that Kindlefix by allowing you to purchase some eBooks elsewhere and also borrow library eBooks,

One thing I am not truly sure of is whether Amazon can see what's on your Kindle when you have Whispernet active. If they can see what's on your Kindle that did not come from Amazon, then I would definitely get rid of my Kindle. (if I had one). Personally, I do not want any company looking at the contents of my Reader.

Amazon is correct in that it's not limited to eBooks just from Amazon as long as the eBooks are legal and DRM free like most eBooks on MR and from Baen.

We (in the US) have what's called fair use. DMCA tramples all over fair use. And now Amazon tramples all over us. Doesn't matter if you have a Kindle, a Sony, Gen3, BeBook or whatever. We had an exception to the DMCA that allowed us to legally remove DRM. Amazon took that away from us with the addition of TTS. Jeff says one thing and does another in regards to DRM. He says sure, you can have your eBooks DRM free. But Mobipocket says you have to have DRM. So is Jeff talking out his ass and lying to us? He owns both Amazon and Mobipocket. Others are also asking Jeff to clarify his stance on DRM in regards to Amazon and Mobipocket.

Bottom line is Amazon wants to control eBooks. The proof is in the AZW format. If they didn't want such total control, they would have used ordinary Mobipocket eBooks and opened them up to everyone. Take away control from them and you might just get them mad.

It's actually very simple when you think about it. It comes down to one thing and one thing only. Which would win in a court of law, fair use or DMCA?

It's not too late to return your K2s if you want. And the market is out there for used K1s.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Now, I will tell you what that makes me, personally, want to run out and do .... if I'm going to be a criminal anyway, why the hell should I purchase the content from the publisher?? Why not just get something that costs a whole lot less and already has the DRM stripped from a pirate?

And, you know something? That's exactly what a lot of people are going to do ... if they haven't already started doing it, and that's what's going to kill the music industry, and online publishing, and other forms of digital media as well.

The problem is that if enough people said screw it to purchasing eBooks because of the DRM and went to the darknet to get content, we'd lose out in the end and the publishers would just look at the declining sales and decide that eBooks are not worth it.