Amazon uses DMCA to restrict where you can buy e-books

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Their "improved" format is Topaz (.azw1 or .tpz); right now, .azw is mobi.

I don't at all think that this is about possible improvements to the format. If they are interested in a better ebook format, they can support ePub (with their own flavor of DRM if they so decide).

This is true. ePub doesn't have to use the Adobe DRM. Amazon could use the ePub format and the Mobipocket DRM algorithm, if they wanted to. (They'd need to write some software, I presume.)

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Their "improved" format is Topaz (.azw1 or .tpz); right now, .azw is mobi.

I don't at all think that this is about possible improvements to the format. If they are interested in a better ebook format, they can support ePub (with their own flavor of DRM if they so decide).

From what I understand from the email I got back from Tor Topaz isn't so much their 'improved' format as their 'quick and dirty' format that allows them to get a lot of books that don't have digital sources up fast.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Alisa

I think this has less to do with people buying books other places than people using the PID to strip DRM. I think there's a reason this started with the influx of iPhone users. Without this script, they can't get their PID and liberate their books to read on other devices and possibly share. If you're willing to strip DRM there's nothing at all stopping a Kindle owner from buying books elsewhere and reading them on the Kindle. You can use any PID registered with the store for that. Not just the Kindle's. I really doubt there are many Kindle owners that are buying books at other stores. The Kindle store is usually cheaper and generally more convenient.

I don't see the difference between purchasing an eBook from Amazon and reading in on my wife's iPod Touch or liberating it and reading it on my 505. I'm not giving it out. I've paid for it (unless it was free). I'm not causing anyone to lose any income. But Amazon doesn't see it that way. They see me as the bad guy. The bad guys can already remove the DRM and give it away. So why punish the good guys. All that will do is drive us to the darknet to get these ebooks without paying. Way to go DRM.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by epiphany

KindlePID can be used in combination MobiDeDRM to strip the DRM from Kindle books. It's possible that that is why Amazon issued the take-down notice.

But, one thing Amazon did not mention.... Mobipocket Reader 6.0 can get the K1's PID 100% legally. So if you have that version Mobipocket Reader or access to it, install it and then get your PID 100% legally. No idea if it works with the K2. But if you have a K1, it works. So have at it. And since they did not mention kindlefix.py, that's ok to use as well. I'm just saying, there's a way around this nonsense (for now) for K1 owners.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24285

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

From what I understand from the email I got back from Tor Topaz isn't so much their 'improved' format as their 'quick and dirty' format that allows them to get a lot of books that don't have digital sources up fast.

Well, yes. Hence "improved" in quotes.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Are you sure that the BeBook can read Mobi library books, Jon? I was under the impression that it currently couldn't. The CyBook can do so.

Since it can read DRMed Mobipocket eBooks, then yes it should very well be able to read Library eBooks as long as the time/date works.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I've just created a blog called "Dear Jeff Bezos,". I'm going to post a public letter to J.B. regarding my disappointment on how Amazon has handled the situation with KindlePID and KindleFIX. I will start a separate thread about the letter because I hope to get input from MobileRead members. If I can find an email address I will send a copy to Mr. Bezos as well. I will then ask for your help in "digging" the post.

It may take a few days to get my thoughts together.

I will help out if I can.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by nekokami

For those of you who have decided not to do business with Amazon in the future, just as a question to think about: What would it take from Amazon at this point to win your business back?

For example, if they issue a press release acknowledging that this wasn't a DMCA violation after all, and apologizing to Mobileread for the inconvenience, would that be enough?

For me it would be for Amazon.com to acknowledge that kindlepid.py (the version that works with the iPod/iPhone) and version 2 of kindlefix.py are ok to be used and Amazon will never use the DMCA against these two programs. And then for Amazon.com to give every person who has posted in this thread a free K2.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Elsi

Does the Sony store sell ePub books to owners of devices other than the Sony reader?

The Sony store only sell BBeB (LRX) with DRM. But, if you have Windows, you can install eBook Library and go to Sony's store and purchase eBooks. So as long as you live in the USA and use Windows, you can view the eBooks there without the need for a Reader. And if you can get someone to purchase Sony eBookstore gift vouchers, anyone in the world can purchase eBooks there. So while the eBooks do have DRM, they are not locked to just the Reader line.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by nekokami

Can you suggest any language that could be added to the Amazon TOS that would let you feel comfortable about using Whispernet?

Section 1 Article 1...

We at Amazon will never snoop on your Kindle. We will never look at the content you have on your Kindle other then what you have purchased via Amazon. Any other content is your and we will not take notice that it is on your Kindle. We will leave it alone. We well stay away. We will treat it like it doesn't exist. We are sorry we looked before. We will never do it again.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

The easiest fix from Amazon would be an apology for not attempting to work this out without threats of legal action and to simply add MOBI support for DRM to the Kindle. Then there would be no problem using library books and the product would be open to books for sale by other dealers. If they still insist on hiding the PID then they could provide a method via their DRM tools to provide this to the vendors using overdrive and mobi drm tools. After all they own Mobi and supporting mobi still makes money for them.

Dale

If Amazon did not want to allow all Mobipocket eBooks with DRM, they could just add support for Mobipocket eBooks with time limited DRM to allow library Mobipocket eBooks to be read. That would go a long way to helping their reputation.

[ProDigit]

Thank you for the article!
Unfortunately I don't own a Kindle, and would never do, for reasons as such!
I hate all closed operation systems; and Amazon is one, that will not get my support in it!

However should I own an amazon Kindle, I would not really know how to do whatever they are saying is possible.
Thanks to this article I now know it is possible to use such file, and would most likely use this file; since I bought the device, and thus I can decide what I want to do with MY device!

Besides, Amazon should have no say what one can do with a certain file that is not created by them!

Fair trade? Forget it! Fair trade would be to have the option to do with my device what I want to; and if it has too many security blocks I guess I'd go for another more open sourced device (which I did)!

[mshnryman]

I am very disappointed in Amazon over this. They have proven that so far they're no better than the publishers that had problems w/ TTS, then also all the squabbles/suits w/ RIAA, RCA, WMG and all the other retards that trample over fair-use and more in the guise of "DMCA" compliance. At least Steve Jobs made a reason for us to want to buy from his store for his products. Amazon won't let us make legitimate purchases from other sellers.

What do you think people would say if Wal-Mart sold you a DVD or Blu-Ray player, then locked the device and the content to only allow you to buy discs from them (and then send out hate letters to anyone trying to find a way around)? That's EXACTLY what Amazon is doing with the K2.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a proud K2 owner and I love reading on the device, but they're making it a real bitter experience by their super-restrictive DRM methods and now all this faux "DMCA" junk to keep us from buying legit books from other sources.

Amazon, get the heck back on track, I'm going to be sending an email to the feedback email address (kindle2-feedback@amazon.com) and I encourage everyone else to do the same and let them know how disappointed we are w/ them.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

That is very rude of Amazon. I'm disappointed in them.

me too

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by radiationman

Except if I understand the way the DMCA is worded - the content must be removed once the takedown notice is received - once the content is down then you can fight the takedown...

Ah, but if the content is not removed, then someone has to file a claim. They can't just send the sheriff, to cuff the owner of the site.

At least not yet.