Amazon and DRM changes

[xyzzy_foo]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

K4PC 1.17.1 (44183) can now download Kindle eBooks published before April 22, 2025 without any problems. This is the same limitation as the more recent version 2.3.0 (70673). I confirmed this with Windows 11, version 23H2.
Surprisingly, they applied the new limitation to all previous K4PC versions, so it appears that previous K4PC versions are "back."

Of course, that version doesn't support KFX, so you'll receive KF8 (AZW3) always.

Just to be sure, I also tested version 1.34.1 (63103), which seems to be another popular K4PC version, and as expected, it can downloads Kindle eBooks from before April 22, 2025 without any issues.
You can also to use a batch file to block KFX downloads.

However, since this also prevents receiving AZW6 files, the best way to get the original quality files remains the BlueStacks K4A method.

[xyzzy_foo]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

And for many countries Kobo has never price-matched at all.

Kobo, officially Rakuten Kobo, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the major Japanese IT conglomerate, Rakuten Group.

Therefore, while they are a Canadian company, they can be considered Japanese-funded, which might make using a domestic company's platform seem like a more rational choice than Amazon.
Unfortunately, Rakuten Group appears focused on their Rakuten Mobile division and seems to be neglecting Rakuten Kobo. Here in Japan, Amazon.co.jp puts the most effort into price matching, and that's the biggest reason I've continued to choose Kindle.

However, their pre-compiled KFX and KFX-ZIP are truly ugly formats, and I honestly cannot understand how Westerners are satisfied with them.
KF8 (AZW3) is based on EPUB3, and when that format is no longer obtainable, that's when I'll completely say goodbye to Kindle.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

but they later began forcing the use of KFX, and more recently, KFX-ZIP in the latest versions.

For what it may be worth, a KFX-ZIP file is a KFX file where DRM removal failed. Since K4PC versions higher than 2.4.0 changed the encryption, you will get KFX-ZIP when trying to import from that higher version.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

K4PC 1.17.1 (44183) can now download Kindle eBooks published before April 22, 2025 without any problems. ...
Of course, that version doesn't support KFX, so you'll receive KF8 (AZW3) always.

OK...I was curious. So...I installed 1.17 (over top of 2.4.0) and was able to login/connect no problem.

I have the same experience. Now, I only tested a couple books, but 1 was from Feb. 2025 and one was from March 2024 and both downloaded just fine and I was able to import to Calibre just fine.

For brand new books, April 22nd, etc., I just get the same message as I do in 2.4.0 that I must use a new version.

So...1.17 is working right now for books published before April 22, 2025 which means azw3 instead of kfx.

For now...

[quirkeyme]

here's a new situation for me
in ku i downloaded B0BRVXD6ZL Miguel Gonzalez Navarro 'Twelve Stories'
the published date indicates january 06 2023
when i run it through calibre to convert kfx to epub, i get an error message cannot convert drm locked
when i run it through epubor ultimate i get an error message as well

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

Kobo, officially Rakuten Kobo, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the major Japanese IT conglomerate, Rakuten Group.

Therefore, while they are a Canadian company, they can be considered Japanese-funded, which might make using a domestic company's platform seem like a more rational choice than Amazon.
Unfortunately, Rakuten Group appears focused on their Rakuten Mobile division and seems to be neglecting Rakuten Kobo. Here in Japan, Amazon.co.jp puts the most effort into price matching, and that's the biggest reason I've continued to choose Kindle.

However, their pre-compiled KFX and KFX-ZIP are truly ugly formats, and I honestly cannot understand how Westerners are satisfied with them.
KF8 (AZW3) is based on EPUB3, and when that format is no longer obtainable, that's when I'll completely say goodbye to Kindle.

But Kobo is not trying to block us from using our eBooks as we see fit.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by quirkeyme

here's a new situation for me
in ku i downloaded B0BRVXD6ZL Miguel Gonzalez Navarro 'Twelve Stories'
the published date indicates january 06 2023
when i run it through calibre to convert kfx to epub, i get an error message cannot convert drm locked
when i run it through epubor ultimate i get an error message as well

Just buy the ebook.

Then you can 'liberate' it.

[Frogm4n]

Originally Posted by quirkeyme

here's a new situation for me
in ku i downloaded B0BRVXD6ZL Miguel Gonzalez Navarro 'Twelve Stories'
the published date indicates january 06 2023
when i run it through calibre to convert kfx to epub, i get an error message cannot convert drm locked
when i run it through epubor ultimate i get an error message as well

Stripping KU loans/rentals is not supported. Authors of KU loans only get paid based on pages read, and that can not be tracked if you take the book out of Amazon's services.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

Stripping KU loans/rentals is not supported. Authors of KU loans only get paid based on pages read, and that can not be tracked if you take the book out of Amazon's services.

You can buy it. But it is rather expensive given that it's the same price as the pBook.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You can buy it. But it is rather expensive given that it's the same price as the pBook.

So you prefer that the author not be rewarded for their work rather that you having to spend the money to purchase the book?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

So you prefer that the author not be rewarded for their work rather that you having to spend the money to purchase the book?

I never said that. I just said I found it to be expensive to purchase.

[DNSB]

Jon, you posted in response to a poster who pointed out that removing KU loans from the Amazon ecosystem meant the author would not be paid. Your message saying the book could be purchased but it is expensive does not suggest any support for purchasing the book.

[Ma'am-I-Am]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

Stripping KU loans/rentals is not supported. Authors of KU loans only get paid based on pages read, and that can not be tracked if you take the book out of Amazon's services.

You are assuming the user is not reading the book on their device. Not necessarily true. One can read it on their device and still wish to keep a local copy just like with purchased books.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by Ma'am-I-Am

You are assuming the user is not reading the book on their device. Not necessarily true. One can read it on their device and still wish to keep a local copy just like with purchased books.

It's a fcking loan. You're not supposed to keep a local copy.

[DNSB]

Pretty much what @ownedbycats said. Do you also approve of keeping copies of library loans?