Dont understand the DRM thing

sherbearjt08 · 01-08-2010, 10:29 AM

I was reading about the people downloading the free Altar of Eden from B&N and then being able to read it. It downloaded into an epub thru their reader but I can't put is on my 300. How do you do that? Can someone PM me? I'm pretty computer literate but this I don't get.

Thanks.

poshm · 01-08-2010, 10:42 AM

Barnes and Noble epubs are unfortunately not compatible with devices other than their Nook I believe although you could read it on your PC if you downloaded the relevant B&N software.

It is a bit confusing as usually .epub files work with all devices that support .epub files but B&N decided to buck this trend which is very unfortunate.

happy_terd · 01-13-2010, 05:17 PM

I also own a sony reader. I think that this was a stupid move on B&N's part. For the sake of wanting me to use only their reader they lost any opportunity to have the money I would have spent on books in their store.

wallcraft · 01-13-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy_terd

I also own a sony reader. I think that this was a stupid move on B&N's part. For the sake of wanting me to use only their reader they lost any opportunity to have the money I would have spent on books in their store.

On the other hand, see Barnes & Noble DRM for EPUB circumvented. Circumvention of DRM on ebooks you bought and for your own use only is probably legal in the US. The primary problem with B&N for ePubs at present is that you can't be sure you won't get an eReader ebook instead. The DRM on eReader ebooks can also be circumvented, but ignobleepub.pyw is very easy to use and you immediately get a DRM-free ePub.

Davimee · 01-15-2010, 02:00 PM

Hi, I have a question that goes along with this. First of all, is it legal to remove DRM for my own use? There is a book I'm interested in that is only available in ereader, but it is a DRM book, and from what I've seen I can't read ereader DRM on the Astak Pocket Pro. I don't have the ereader yet, but I am looking into buying it next month some time. If I were to buy the book in ereader, is there an easy way to convert it to epub if it is DRM protected? I don't want to do it if there is a question as to the legality, although I will only be using it for myself, and not distributing the book to anyone. And if I did convert it to epub, would that change the format, or the functionality of the book? Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks!

delphidb96 · 01-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davimee

Hi, I have a question that goes along with this. First of all, is it legal to remove DRM for my own use? There is a book I'm interested in that is only available in ereader, but it is a DRM book, and from what I've seen I can't read ereader DRM on the Astak Pocket Pro. I don't have the ereader yet, but I am looking into buying it next month some time. If I were to buy the book in ereader, is there an easy way to convert it to epub if it is DRM protected? I don't want to do it if there is a question as to the legality, although I will only be using it for myself, and not distributing the book to anyone. And if I did convert it to epub, would that change the format, or the functionality of the book? Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks!

In many countries it is NOT legal to remove DRM - even if you've purchased the ebook. Of course this is because publishers and governments prefer to use the "You don't own it, you just 'lease' it" model of sales. Kind of like having your own personal thief waiting to steal your purchase back from you if they take a dislike to you.

Derek

Davimee · 01-15-2010, 02:13 PM

Thanks, Derek. Then I guess I'll keep looking for epub books.

wallcraft · 01-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davimee

First of all, is it legal to remove DRM for my own use? There is a book I'm interested in that is only available in ereader, but it is a DRM book, and from what I've seen I can't read ereader DRM on the Astak Pocket Pro. I don't have the ereader yet, but I am looking into buying it next month some time. If I were to buy the book in ereader, is there an easy way to convert it to epub if it is DRM protected? I don't want to do it if there is a question as to the legality, although I will only be using it for myself, and not distributing the book to anyone. And if I did convert it to epub, would that change the format, or the functionality of the book?

So far as I know, there has never been a legal case anywhere in the world concerning removing DRM from an ebook for personal non-commercial use. In the US, it is likely that this is legal (a fair use) but it is virtually certain that the question will never be settled in court because why would a copyright owner sue one of their paying customers for an act that hurts no one.

In the case of eReader DRM, you would remove it using ereader2html.py and then convert to ePub using Calibre. The format shifting from eReader to ePub obviously changes the ebook to some extent, but ePub is a richer format that eReader and so your reading experience should be almost identical.

Davimee · 01-15-2010, 02:30 PM

Thank you, Wallcraft. I kept looking and found the book in question at the Sony Reader store. From what I can tell, it is in epub. Are the Sony epubs compatible with the Astak EZ Readers? I'm assuming so, but I am very new to this.

jbloudg20 · 01-15-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davimee

Thanks, Derek. Then I guess I'll keep looking for epub books.

While it is not legal in the US to remove DRM from files, if you paid for them, then that usually satisfies my moral compass. Besides, no one would be the wiser, as long as it was for personal use.

That said, it is still technically illegal, so let your conscience be your guide.

wallcraft · 01-15-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davimee

Are the Sony epubs compatible with the Astak EZ Readers?

Yes. Make sure to authorize Desktop Adobe Digital Editions before using Sony eBook Library for the first time, since I think this will automatically forward your AdobeID to Sony. If Sony ebooks are using the same AdobeID, they will work on the EZ Reader.

Davimee · 01-15-2010, 02:49 PM

jbloudg20, the book in question is a copy of the Bible, so I think I'll go the legal route. *l*

wallcraft, I've already got Adobe Digital Editions authorized on my computer, so I think I'll be good as far as that goes. I downloaded it a couple weeks ago because I was curious of the books would work on my Palm, but I found out if they have DRM they won't. Reading DRM books is one of the main reasons I'm looking for an ereader. That, and my Palm is showing signs of dying, and it seems they're pretty much obsolete.

Thanks.

Rootman · 01-15-2010, 03:21 PM

Well since no one really answered sherbearjt08's question directly I'll give it a whack.

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. Because it is easy to "share" digital files via the internet or other media companies have wrapped the ebook file in an encrypted "wrapper". They encode the book so that it will work on JUST the device you bought it for, if it's a PC then the PC and the proper reading software have an ID and the file will only work on THAT PC. If it's an eReader that supports the DRM enabled file then only THAT device can read the file.

Many books are available WITHOUT encryption and will work on any device that supports that particular file format. An example is Project Gutenberg books: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page . Most all books that are NOT in the public domain that are BOUGHT from an ebook distributer like the Sony store Amazon ARE encrypted. The publisher / dealer / author and anyone else involved wants to make sure that no one distributes the book without encryption so that they can sell more books and all get their money. In reality the worth of DRM is questionable - but that's another discussion.

Places like Amazon (for the Kindle) allow you to have up to 6 devices on one account and any of the devices can download the file and read it, however because the file is encrypted for each specific device it isn't possible to just MOVE the file over to the new device, each device has to "fetch" the file directly from the distributer with the proper encryption using THAT devices ID.

Now as Wallcarft noted above ( https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...824#edit739460 ) a way has been discovered to UNwrap the encryption from the B&N ebook files. As discussed above this MAY have legal consequences. But if you BUY the book and do it yourself for just YOUR use alone you should not have any problems. Decide for yourself.

Warning: IANAL, YMMV

Hope this helps.

AlexBell · 01-20-2010, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbloudg20

While it is not legal in the US to remove DRM from files, if you paid for them, then that usually satisfies my moral compass. Besides, no one would be the wiser, as long as it was for personal use.

That said, it is still technically illegal, so let your conscience be your guide.

Didn't you read Wallcraft's post above? It has never been tested in court, so far as I know, so dogmatic statements about whether it is legal or illegal aren't worth the electrons used to propagate them.

Regards, Alex

Davimee · 01-20-2010, 12:25 PM

AlexBell, that's fine what jbloudg20 said. I had asked if it's legal, and that answered my question.

01-08-2010, 10:29 AM	#1
sherbearjt08 Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-300	Dont understand the DRM thing I was reading about the people downloading the free Altar of Eden from B&N and then being able to read it. It downloaded into an epub thru their reader but I can't put is on my 300. How do you do that? Can someone PM me? I'm pretty computer literate but this I don't get. Thanks.

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01-08-2010, 10:42 AM	#2
poshm Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1003580 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cambs, UK Device: PocketBook 360, Sony Reader Touch, Ipod touch & Kindle 2	Barnes and Noble epubs are unfortunately not compatible with devices other than their Nook I believe although you could read it on your PC if you downloaded the relevant B&N software. It is a bit confusing as usually .epub files work with all devices that support .epub files but B&N decided to buck this trend which is very unfortunate.

01-13-2010, 05:17 PM	#3
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	I also own a sony reader. I think that this was a stupid move on B&N's part. For the sake of wanting me to use only their reader they lost any opportunity to have the money I would have spent on books in their store.

01-15-2010, 02:00 PM	#5
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	Hi, I have a question that goes along with this. First of all, is it legal to remove DRM for my own use? There is a book I'm interested in that is only available in ereader, but it is a DRM book, and from what I've seen I can't read ereader DRM on the Astak Pocket Pro. I don't have the ereader yet, but I am looking into buying it next month some time. If I were to buy the book in ereader, is there an easy way to convert it to epub if it is DRM protected? I don't want to do it if there is a question as to the legality, although I will only be using it for myself, and not distributing the book to anyone. And if I did convert it to epub, would that change the format, or the functionality of the book? Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks!

01-15-2010, 02:13 PM	#7
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	Thanks, Derek. Then I guess I'll keep looking for epub books.

01-15-2010, 02:30 PM	#9
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	Thank you, Wallcraft. I kept looking and found the book in question at the Sony Reader store. From what I can tell, it is in epub. Are the Sony epubs compatible with the Astak EZ Readers? I'm assuming so, but I am very new to this.

01-15-2010, 02:49 PM	#12
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	jbloudg20, the book in question is a copy of the Bible, so I think I'll go the legal route. l wallcraft, I've already got Adobe Digital Editions authorized on my computer, so I think I'll be good as far as that goes. I downloaded it a couple weeks ago because I was curious of the books would work on my Palm, but I found out if they have DRM they won't. Reading DRM books is one of the main reasons I'm looking for an ereader. That, and my Palm is showing signs of dying, and it seems they're pretty much obsolete. Thanks.

01-15-2010, 03:21 PM	#13
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Well since no one really answered sherbearjt08's question directly I'll give it a whack. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. Because it is easy to "share" digital files via the internet or other media companies have wrapped the ebook file in an encrypted "wrapper". They encode the book so that it will work on JUST the device you bought it for, if it's a PC then the PC and the proper reading software have an ID and the file will only work on THAT PC. If it's an eReader that supports the DRM enabled file then only THAT device can read the file. Many books are available WITHOUT encryption and will work on any device that supports that particular file format. An example is Project Gutenberg books: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page . Most all books that are NOT in the public domain that are BOUGHT from an ebook distributer like the Sony store Amazon ARE encrypted. The publisher / dealer / author and anyone else involved wants to make sure that no one distributes the book without encryption so that they can sell more books and all get their money. In reality the worth of DRM is questionable - but that's another discussion. Places like Amazon (for the Kindle) allow you to have up to 6 devices on one account and any of the devices can download the file and read it, however because the file is encrypted for each specific device it isn't possible to just MOVE the file over to the new device, each device has to "fetch" the file directly from the distributer with the proper encryption using THAT devices ID. Now as Wallcarft noted above ( https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...824#edit739460 ) a way has been discovered to UNwrap the encryption from the B&N ebook files. As discussed above this MAY have legal consequences. But if you BUY the book and do it yourself for just YOUR use alone you should not have any problems. Decide for yourself. Warning: IANAL, YMMV Hope this helps.

01-20-2010, 12:25 PM	#15
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	AlexBell, that's fine what jbloudg20 said. I had asked if it's legal, and that answered my question.