Amazon and DRM changes

[JSWolf]

If you buy an eBook from Kobo that's supposed to be without DRM, you can download a DRM free ePub from Kobo without having to buy a Kobo Reader.

With Amazon, you cannot do that. You do need a Kindle that handles KF8 and it cannot be Scribe.

That's the difference. Amazon is way worse then anyone else.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you buy an eBook from Kobo that's supposed to be without DRM, you can download a DRM free ePub from Kobo without having to buy a Kobo Reader.

With Amazon, you cannot do that. You do need a Kindle that handles KF8 and it cannot be Scribe.

That's the difference. Amazon is way worse then anyone else.

While you may not be able to download a DRM free book directly from Amazon's website without having a Kindle, you should be able to load the DRM free .KFX book that comes from Kindle for PC onto any Kindle, or use Calibre to convert it to another format. (as long as the book is DRM free from the publisher)

Note that I haven't tested this since the KFX format was first introduced, but it worked that way back then.

Shari

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by shalym

While you may not be able to download a DRM free book directly from Amazon's website without having a Kindle, you should be able to load the DRM free .KFX book that comes from Kindle for PC onto any Kindle, or use Calibre to convert it to another format. (as long as the book is DRM free from the publisher)

Note that I haven't tested this since the KFX format was first introduced, but it worked that way back then.

Shari

You must have had the DRM removal plugin installed for that to work. Books delivered from Amazon in KFX format always have DRM. Conversion of KFX books with DRM was possible at one time in calibre, but it no longer works because Amazon keeps changing the DRM scheme in use.

If the publisher has requested that DRM not be used then Amazon uses a generic key for the DRM so it is not tied to a specific device or account. That means that it is generally possible to move a KFX book from one Kindle to another and have it work if the publisher requested DRM-free.

Interestingly, personal documents sent to a Kindle Scribe arrive in KFX format without DRM. That shows that Amazon is able to produce DRM-free KFX. They just have chosen not to do so, instead interpreting DRM-free as meaning you are free to move the book from one device to another as long as they are both Kindles.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by jhowell

You must have had the DRM removal plugin installed for that to work. Books delivered from Amazon in KFX format always have DRM. Conversion of KFX books with DRM was possible at one time in calibre, but it no longer works because Amazon keeps changing the DRM scheme in use.

If the publisher has requested that DRM not be used then Amazon uses a generic key for the DRM so it is not tied to a specific device or account. That means that it is generally possible to move a KFX book from one Kindle to another and have it work if the publisher requested DRM-free.

Interestingly, personal documents sent to a Kindle Scribe arrive in KFX format without DRM. That shows that Amazon is able to produce DRM-free KFX. They just have chosen not to do so, instead interpreting DRM-free as meaning you are free to move the book from one device to another as long as they are both Kindles.

Nope--I didn't even run it through Calibre at all. I just copied the files from one Kindle to another. I just tested doing that again with a DRM free book that was published on January 3rd. I downloaded the book to my 2022 Kindle Basic and opened it there, then connected that Kindle to my computer and copied all of the files associated with that book to my computer (including the sdr folder). I then ejected that Kindle and connected my Paperwhite5 and copied all of the files for the book to that Kindle. When I eject the PW5 the book appeared as downloaded and I was able to open it with no problem.

Those are the exact steps that I took back in 2015 when the format was first introduced. Here's some links to the threads talking about it, that you participated in:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...86#post3150886

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...32#post3150932

Shari

[Upamanyu Santra]

Hey I have been using 1.26 of PC for quite some time. In this new drm change is this version also going to be affected? Sorry if the question sounds stupid.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by shalym

Nope--I didn't even run it through Calibre at all.

You mentioned that it was possible to do that so I assumed you had done so. My mistake.

Originally Posted by shalym

I just copied the files from one Kindle to another. I just tested doing that again with a DRM free book that was published on January 3rd.

I agree that will work. That is what I wrote. Reread my second paragraph.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by jhowell

You mentioned that it was possible to do that so I assumed you had done so. My mistake.

I agree that will work. That is what I wrote. Reread my second paragraph.

Sorry, I could have sworn that I had opened the book in Calibre back then. I just tried doing it now and it didn't work, so I guess I was mistaken about that part.

Shari

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by Upamanyu Santra

Hey I have been using 1.26 of PC for quite some time. In this new drm change is this version also going to be affected? Sorry if the question sounds stupid.

Yes, all versions prior to the latest (1.39) are affected. You will not be able to download recently published books with any previous version.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

If they are old enough, they can't even read AZW3/KF8. Anything older than a Kindle 3 aka Kindle Keyboard (which includes the Kindle DXG that's still registered to my account) is stuck with MOBI.

I sideload azw3 all the time on my K3. It just doesn't have the font features that I like in the newer models. So it does read it.

[DNSB]

I had one acquaintance send me a message stating that she is no longer able to download and transfer Kindle Unlimited books. While this doesn't bother me (see my previous comments on DRM and borrowed books), it may be of interest to others.

[slm]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I had one acquaintance send me a message stating that she is no longer able to download and transfer Kindle Unlimited books. While this doesn't bother me (see my previous comments on DRM and borrowed books), it may be of interest to others.

I just tried to download a Kindle Unlimited book.
No problem.
Yet.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by slm

I just tried to download a Kindle Unlimited book.
No problem.
Yet.

I've attached the image of what she sees in her Content and Devices for KU books now.

[FicDragon]

I apologise if this is a basic stupid question, but if I upgrade to the newest kindle version instead of the 1.17 version I have, can I download and IMPORT the new KFX version into Calibre and read it through the Calibre ebook viewer?

I guess what I'm asking is if I can import without attempting to convert it.

And now I feel like an idiot for asking, but I hesitate to "update" and not be able to possibly buy older books.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FicDragon

I apologise if this is a basic stupid question, but if I upgrade to the newest kindle version instead of the 1.17 version I have, can I download and IMPORT the new KFX version into Calibre and read it through the Calibre ebook viewer?

I guess what I'm asking is if I can import without attempting to convert it.

And now I feel like an idiot for asking, but I hesitate to "update" and not be able to possibly buy older books.

No you cannot.

[FicDragon]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

No you cannot.

I was afraid of that, thank you for confirming it.

Ah well, all that Amazon $ I put on my account I can use on actual stuff instead of ebooks - Unicorn Onesie! Unicorn onesie!