Help deDrm Old Mobi Format

[thinkpad]

Thanks for clearing things up Harry and daffy. I don't really see the difference between Fictionwise and stores running the Overdrive servers. If I understand it correctly, in the end you would still have to strip the DRM, more or less making it an open Mobi pocket file which then can be read by the Kindle.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Thanks for clearing things up Harry and daffy. I don't really see the difference between Fictionwise and stores running the Overdrive servers. If I understand it correctly, in the end you would still have to strip the DRM, more or less making it an open Mobi pocket file which then can be read by the Kindle.

No you don't have to strip the DRM of a mobi book from the Overdrive servers to use on the Kindle.

[HarryT]

I think you've misread thinkpadx's post. Daffy - he says "I don't see the difference between Fictionwise and stores running the Overdrive servers". There is no difference; you need to remove the DRM to read the book on the Kindle.

What you were talking about was something totally different - DRM on library books. You are of course absolutely correct in saying that you don't have to remove the DRM in order to be able to read those on the Kindle, but that doesn't apply to stores using the Overdrive Mobi DRM servers (as, for example, BooksOnBoard do); with those books you would need to strip the DRM for the Kindle.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think you've misread thinkpadx's post. Daffy - he says "I don't see the difference between Fictionwise and stores running the Overdrive servers". There is no difference; you need to remove the DRM to read the book on the Kindle.

What you were talking about was something totally different - DRM on library books. You are of course absolutely correct in saying that you don't have to remove the DRM in order to be able to read those on the Kindle, but that doesn't apply to stores using the Overdrive Mobi DRM servers (as, for example, BooksOnBoard do); with those books you would need to strip the DRM for the Kindle.

So Harry are you saying there is more than one kind of DRM on mobi files? I wasn't aware that was the case.

[HarryT]

Yes. Library books use a different DRM mechanism to that used by "normal" books.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes. Library books use a different DRM mechanism to that used by "normal" books.

Please explain the difference in the DRM used by the library on mobi and the books I buy from BookOnBoard or Fictionwise.

I've donr both, the drm is the same. It's mobi drm as is the drm on Amazon books.

It's not a different drm such as the difference in Sony Epub drm and B&N Epub drm.

[HarryT]

I don't know what the "technical" difference is, but library books use a time-limited DRM mechanism. My understanding is that there is some way to make a Kindle book use a Library book which does not involve removing the DRM from it. Perhaps Daffy could supply more details; I've never done it myself, because I don't have any local libraries which offer eBooks.

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by HarryT

My understanding is that there is some way to make a Kindle book use a Library book which does not involve removing the DRM from it.

Oh this is very interesting. So basically if your local library provides mobi encrypted books in theory you should be able to read them without stripping the DRM providing you give them you Kindle PID. Or what do you refer to when you say "Kindle book" Harry, do you mean the Kindle reader?

I've never seen my library advertising that the books can be read by the Kindle though, and I know they provide books in secured mobi format.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Oh this is very interesting. So basically if your local library provides mobi encrypted books in theory you should be able to read them without stripping the DRM providing you give them you Kindle PID.

That is my understanding, yes, but I don't know the details of what's involved. Perhaps someone else can help.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Oh this is very interesting. So basically if your local library provides mobi encrypted books in theory you should be able to read them without stripping the DRM providing you give them you Kindle PID.

This does work, but you have to run the lending library MOBI through the kindlefix.py script. This script does not remove the DRM, but rather just flips one bit in the DRMed MOBI to turn it into a DRMed AZW. Also, your library should only have one PID (the Kindle PID) on file because MOBIs containing multiple PIDs don't work on the Kindle.

For more information about kindlefix, see Reversing Everything .

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't know what the "technical" difference is, but library books use a time-limited DRM mechanism. My understanding is that there is some way to make a Kindle book use a Library book which does not involve removing the DRM from it. Perhaps Daffy could supply more details; I've never done it myself, because I don't have any local libraries which offer eBooks.

That's my point exactly. If you know your Kindle PID (which I do) then the library encryption (DRM) is exactly the same as the Amazon Encryption and both will work on the kindle just fine. As will any books purchased from third party sellers using the appropriate PID.


The only difference with Library books is that an expire date is included, with purchased books there is no expire date.

Edit: I forgot about the kindlefix.py as indicated by wallcraft above.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by kennyc

That's my point exactly. If you know your Kindle PID (which I do) then the library encryption (DRM) is exactly the same as the Amazon Encryption and both will work on the kindle just fine. As will any books purchased from third party sellers using the appropriate PID.

Yes, you are of course correct, but the issue is that (as you know) bookstores which sell DRM-Mobi books won't accept a Kindle PID, so the only way to read such books on a Kindle is to buy them with a different PID (eg that of Windows Mobi Reader), and then remove the DRM in order to read the book on your Kindle.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, you are of course correct, but the issue is that (as you know) bookstores which sell DRM-Mobi books won't accept a Kindle PID, so the only way to read such books on a Kindle is to buy them with a different PID (eg that of Windows Mobi Reader), and then remove the DRM in order to read the book on your Kindle.

Huh? If that is the case I was not aware of it.

Of course I hate DRM altogether so do not purchase books I cannot remove it from.

[HarryT]

That is indeed the case. Try entering your Kindle PID in the list of Mobi devices on a site like FictionWise or BooksOnBoard .

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That is indeed the case. Try entering your Kindle PID in the list of Mobi devices on a site like FictionWise or BooksOnBoard .

It much somehow be able to discriminate that the device is a Kindle then is all I can presume.

Edit: follow up.....I just tried it and was able to register just fine at BooksOnBoard. So my conclusion is that your statement is false.