Amazon and DRM changes

[Ma'am-I-Am]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The current DeDRM removes the watermark from Kindle eBooks.

It's nice to get a straight answer instead of a lecture. Thank you.

Just FYI, if anyone gets free books from reader magnets or ARCs, you should edit the book and search for ID info such as @ (for email addresses) and so on.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The current DeDRM removes the watermark from Kindle eBooks.

Not just for Kindle. Needs to be turned on as it's disabled by default. It may not remove everything.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But if the computer is stolen and there are no tools on it to remove the DRM, then there may be a good chance that the thief won't be able to remove the DRM. So if you are afraid, but only eBooks with DRM and have no tools for removing the DRM.

And there is probably also a good chance that a thief could still remove the DRM. It depends.

And then the tradeoff (going back to your other post) is not backing up your purchases.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Not just for Kindle. Needs to be turned on as it's disabled by default. It may not remove everything.

Even if the watermark setting is off, the Kindle watermark is still removed.

I just double checked.

[Kindleing]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Even if the watermark setting is off, the Kindle watermark is still removed.

I was unaware Kindle books are watermarked. What form does the watermark take? Is it non-displayed text in the file or embedded images?

Thanks.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kindleing

I was unaware Kindle books are watermarked. What form does the watermark take? Is it non-displayed text in the file or embedded images?

Thanks.

The watermark is part of the metadata.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The watermark is part of the metadata.

Yes. You can't see it unless you use software that can decode the internals of the Kindle book, such as kindleunpack.

The watermark is encrypted so the information it includes is not completely known. However by comparing watermarks between books it has been shown that it includes identification of the specific book, the app or device to which it was delivered, and the Amazon user account involved.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Yes. You can't see it unless you use software that can decode the internals of the Kindle book, such as kindleunpack.

The watermark is encrypted so the information it includes is not completely known. However by comparing watermarks between books it has been shown that it includes identification of the specific book, the app or device to which it was delivered, and the Amazon user account involved.

Using KindleUnpack to convert to ePub, you can see the watermark in the comments in the OPF.

[DiapDealer]

Assume that the tools do not remove any and all metadata that could possibly connect an ebook to your account and go from there. Not a lecture. Just an appropriate level of paranoia to keep everyone honest (and careful).

If thieves CAN steal your identifiable ebooks and upload them to pirate sites, any competent lawyer would present that as a "reasonable doubt" for how they ended up there. But no one's going to get prosecuted for "truly" stolen DeDRMed ebooks showing up where they don't belong. Hell, most actual pirates aren't going to get prosecuted.

[C-novice]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

If you're using Calibre server open to the internet, put a password on it. Will keep people from swiping files from those.

Oh, what does this mean? I wonder if I'm inadvertently doing this.

I am all for electronic security but never heard of 'Calibre server open to the internet'.

thanks.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by C-novice

Oh, what does this mean? I wonder if I'm inadvertently doing this.

I am all for electronic security but never heard of 'Calibre server open to the internet'.

thanks.

This'll give some information that might be useful for piracy, but I think it's important to know. PM me if you have any more specific questions though.

If your Calibre library is accessible to the internet, other people may find it and then access and download books from it. Sometimes done deliberately by pirates, but also inadvertently by users who don't realize.

Depending on the source of these books and DRM removal method, there's a chance that these books might be still watermarked and then traced back to you if a third party uploads it elsewhere. Not sure what chance but I wouldn't risk it.

calibre-server can requite a password to access it. Preferences > Sharing over the net > Main > Require username and password. (Don't forget to make an account!)

[C-novice]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

This'll give some information that might be useful for piracy, but I think it's important to know. PM me if you have any more specific questions though.

If your Calibre library is accessible to the internet, other people may find it and then access and download books from it. Sometimes done deliberately by pirates, but also inadvertently by users who don't realize.

Depending on the source of these books and DRM removal method, there's a chance that these books might be still watermarked and then traced back to you if a third party uploads it elsewhere. Not sure what chance but I wouldn't risk it.

calibre-server can requite a password to access it. Preferences > Sharing over the net > Main > Require username and password. (Don't forget to make an account!)

Thank you @ownedbycats. I've been using calibre for many years, most of the time I run it from within Firejail. But then usually cannot add books. I don't use it as a server. Other than a uname/pwd, is there anyway to 'disconnect' it from any internet connection? Another digital security headache, eh?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by C-novice

Thank you @ownedbycats. I've been using calibre for many years, most of the time I run it from within Firejail. But then usually cannot add books. I don't use it as a server. Other than a uname/pwd, is there anyway to 'disconnect' it from any internet connection? I never ask it to go to the net for anything. Another digital security headache, eh?

Easiest would be don't run calibre server. If you run calibre server, don't allow it access outside your local area network.

[C-novice]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Easiest would be don't run calibre server. If you run calibre server, don't allow it access outside your local area network.

I don't.

[rashkae]

It would be *really* difficult to expose Calibre server to the Internet by accident. If you have Windows PC directly on the Internet with no firewall or NAT, (which would specifically need to be configured to allow access,), then you have far far greater concerns that your books.