Amazon and DRM changes

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

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

Yes. I think DRM on bought things is evil, but I don't own a loan, so the owner can have DRM on it and I won't try to have a DRM free copy.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

Stripping KU loans/rentals is not supported. ...

Does "not supported" translate to the DRM cannot be stripped, or that help will not be given for stripping DRM.

In the past DRM could be stripped from KU books.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by John F

Does "not supported" translate to the DRM cannot be stripped, or that help will not be given for stripping DRM.

In the past DRM could be stripped from KU books.

You can still strip DRM from KU books depending on how you download them. Like stripping DRM from library loans, I avoid doing so since I do not "own" the book/license. I do add an empty book for a library loan in calibre to allow me to keep track of what books I have read.

For a Kindle owner, stripping DRM from library loans may be a necessity since outside of the USA, libraries do not support Amazon format loans. OTOH, one friend of mine and I have an ongoing disagreement since while she needs to strip DRM from library loans to allow copying them to her Oasis which I find iffy but necessary for her. OTOH, she keeps the ebook after the loan period which is, IMHO, qualifies as an illegal copy with the excuse that she might want to re-read it someday.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by DNSB

OTOH, she keeps the ebook after the loan period which is, IMHO, qualifies as an illegal copy with the excuse that she might want to re-read it someday.

I imagine libraries would like to hear that excuse for not returning the physical loans.

DeDRM runs automatically when I'm importing Overdrive books to Calibre (I could disbale plugin, but not worth the hassle and I want to run Count Pages anyways). I delete the book file when I'm done with it.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I imagine libraries would like to hear that excuse for not returning the physical loans.

DeDRM runs automatically when I'm importing Overdrive books to Calibre (I could disbale plugin, but not worth the hassle and I want to run Count Pages anyways). I delete the book file when I'm done with it.

For me, I don't bother to import the books to calibre. I create an empty book as a placeholder. I prefer to avoid temptation if possible. For library books, I think I would find myself going 'I might want to re-read it, the chances are good that the library copy will have exceeded it's usage limit and is no longer available and it's already in my calibre library so who is being hurt if I keep the copy'. Vade retro me satana!

Bring to mind one of my favourite quotes:

“I can resist anything except temptation.”―Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

[slm]

I had a weird experience just now. I am an Amazon Prime subscriber and I just got the list of "First Reads" for May and I selected one ("Homemaker").
I pulled out my trustee Kindle PW1 and transferred the file to Calibre. Calibre was unable to convert the KFX file. The PW1 is on 5.18.1

So I tried the same trick on my Voyage. Its on 5.13.6. The conversion worked.

Both devices always on and wifi is always on. The firmware versions above match what Amazon says are the latest for each--don't ask me why the Voyage, although newer, gets an older software version.

Of course, its possible that my PW1 transfer just hit an unlucky bump.

Anyone else tested 5.18.1 on a book published after April 22?

[texasnightowl]

I pulled out my trustee Kindle PW1 and transferred the file to Calibre. Calibre was unable to convert the KFX file. The PW1 is on 5.18.1

If it's on firmware 5.18.1, it is NOT a PW1. PW1 would be on 5.6.1.1 and would receive books in old kf8/azw3. If it is running 5.18.1 it is a 10th generation Paperwhite, aka PW4.

Anyone else tested 5.18.1 on a book published after April 22?

I have tested 2 new books (April 22 and April 25 pub dates) on 5.18.2 and they worked fine. This was on my 2021 PW5.

[jonathan2022]

I have transferred 2 books April 25th and 26th both worked kindle generation 10 18.1 .

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by slm

I had a weird experience just now. I am an Amazon Prime subscriber and I just got the list of "First Reads" for May and I selected one ("Homemaker").
I pulled out my trustee Kindle PW1 and transferred the file to Calibre. Calibre was unable to convert the KFX file. The PW1 is on 5.18.1

So I tried the same trick on my Voyage. Its on 5.13.6. The conversion worked.

Both devices always on and wifi is always on. The firmware versions above match what Amazon says are the latest for each--don't ask me why the Voyage, although newer, gets an older software version.

Of course, its possible that my PW1 transfer just hit an unlucky bump.

Anyone else tested 5.18.1 on a book published after April 22?

Do you have the serial number of your PW in the plugin settings?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by slm

...

I pulled out my trustee Kindle PW1 and transferred the file to Calibre. Calibre was unable to convert the KFX file. The PW1 is on 5.18.1

So I tried the same trick on my Voyage. Its on 5.13.6. The conversion worked.

Both devices always on and wifi is always on. The firmware versions above match what Amazon says are the latest for each--don't ask me why the Voyage, although newer, gets an older software version.

Of course, its possible that my PW1 transfer just hit an unlucky bump.

Anyone else tested 5.18.1 on a book published after April 22?

Kindle Paperwhite (5th Generation) 5.6.1.1 = PW 1 (Last FW without KFX)
Kindle Paperwhite (6th Generation) 5.12.2.2 = PW2 (This & later get KFX)

Kindle Voyage (7th Generation) 5.13.6 (Gets KFX)
Kindle Paperwhite (7th Generation) 5.16.2.1.1 = PW3 (1st PW with 300 dpi)

(The PW3 is a sort of reduced cost Voyage and Oasis 1 is really the Voyage 2 as it has only 6″ screen, the #2 & #3 have 7″)
Kindle Oasis (8th Generation) 5.16.2.1.1 = Oasis 1 (only 6″)

Kindle Paperwhite (10th Generation) 5.18.1 = PW 4 (Flush screen)
Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation) 5.18.2 = PW 5
Kindle Paperwhite (12th Generation) - 2024 Release 5.18.2 PW 6

Official Amazon Kindle FW site: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...MQC26VQQMM8XSW

The PW1 & PW2 are less than 300 dpi.

Edit: Your PW sound like the PW4. Has it a flush screen? The PW1, 2 & 3 have a recessed screen.

[juco]

Originally Posted by jonathan2022

I have transferred 2 books April 25th and 26th both worked kindle generation 10 18.1 .

AFAIK, it is not the download date that makes the difference, but the publishing date of the ebook...,

[jonathan2022]

Originally Posted by juco

AFAIK, it is not the download date that makes the difference, but the publishing date of the ebook...,

Meant those books were published 25th and 26th

[DNSB]

At this point, it's nothing to do with Kindle ereaders but rather the K4PC app where that April 23, 2025 date applies. So far my jailbroken PW4 (10th gen) on firmware 5.18.1 has not had any issues with downloading books which I can then transfer to calibre.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by DNSB

At this point, it's nothing to do with Kindle ereaders but rather the K4PC app where that April 23, 2025 date applies. So far my jailbroken PW4 (10th gen) on firmware 5.18.1 has not had any issues with downloading books which I can then transfer to calibre.

At this point.

Amazon has recently put significant effort into locking down Kindle for Mac, Kindle for PC, and Download & Transfer. It is just a matter of time before they come after Kindle for Android and e-ink Kindles.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by jhowell

At this point.

Amazon has recently put significant effort into locking down Kindle for Mac, Kindle for PC, and Download & Transfer. It is just a matter of time before they come after Kindle for Android and e-ink Kindles.

I'm surprised they havent already. I still don't fully understand why only newer books are locked down though. Instead of cutting off the old K4PC entirely.