my entry for 'Dumb Question of the Year'

[Krystian Galaj]

Originally Posted by Karen_D

Thanks all for the replies. Sorry - I should have given more info...

The reason I am asking is because I've recently bought a computer from a friend which contains 100 odd .mobi titlles. I am looking at purchasing a Kindle so was just wondering how I can tell if I'll be able to read these titles on the Kindle.

If they're not encrypted, it should be fine to read them.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Your friend cannot legally give or sell you those books; I suggest you delete them.

I think that would apply only if those ebooks were bought from someone and not in Public Domain. They might be downloaded from MobileRead, for example. Since your advice doesn't contain such qualifications, I presume you have more information on those ebooks than I do. Where from?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Krystian Galaj

I think that would apply only if those ebooks were bought from someone and not in Public Domain. They might be downloaded from MobileRead, for example. Since your advice doesn't contain such qualifications, I presume you have more information on those ebooks than I do. Where from?

The fact that this thread is asking about removing DRM rather suggests that they are commercial eBooks.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The fact that this thread is asking about removing DRM rather suggests that they are commercial eBooks.

That is not what the thread is about; Karen originally asked:
"How can you tell if a particular .mobi file has DRM?"

and then posted:
"Ones I've checked so far are non-encrypted."

Following which you posted:
"Your friend cannot legally give or sell you those books; I suggest you delete them."

But there's no reason I can see to assume these are commercial titles; or that it is illegal for them to be passed on.

[Karen_D]

Sparrow - you're right. I wasnt asking how to remove DRM. I doubt I'd have the skill (and frankly couldnt be bothered trying) considering I didn't even know how to tell if DRM existed on a title!

But what a minefield it seems I've walked into. I have no idea where/how the ebooks were obtained. All I did was purchase a second hand computer. I havent had time to go through them all but many appear to be titles well out of copyright - Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens etc. But is that any indication when I think you can also buy these titles from ebook retailers such as Amazon??? How on earth do I tell if a .mobi file has been DRM stripped?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Karen_D

Sparrow - you're right. I wasnt asking how to remove DRM. I doubt I'd have the skill (and frankly couldnt be bothered trying) considering I didn't even know how to tell if DRM existed on a title!

But what a minefield it seems I've walked into. I have no idea where/how the ebooks were obtained. All I did was purchase a second hand computer. I havent had time to go through them all but many appear to be titles well out of copyright - Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens etc. But is that any indication when I think you can also buy these titles from ebook retailers such as Amazon??? How on earth do I tell if a .mobi file has been DRM stripped?

I don't think you can tell, unless you find it for sale and not available in public domain, but that would be a total pain to try and determine. I say just so with the flow. It does sound, from the ones you named that they are likely public domain titles.

Enjoy!

[Karen_D]

That's my inclination, Kenny. I'm not going to be checking the Terms of Use for every bit of software on the computer either. I bought the thing as is and paid a fair price for it. I am going to go with the assumption that the original owner did the same.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Karen_D

My entry fo Dumb Question of the Year

Not even close!


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