Overdrive throwing weight behind epub

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

The quoted article mentioned nothing at all about Plastic Logic, and I haven't seen any articles where Plastic Logic says that they are going to use a Fictionwise/eReader DRM for ePub.

I think the confusion comes from two Plastic Logic news releases on Monday. In one they say:

In support of this effort, Plastic Logic is also announcing today it is licensing Adobe technology to provide PDF, EPUB and Adobe DRM/eBook support on the device.

and in the other:

Today, Plastic Logic is also announcing that a central part of Plastic Logic’s online store is its partnership with Fictionwise Inc. to create and run the econtent store.

If the device can read ePub and they are in partnership with FictionWise, then Fictionwise/eReader DRM for ePub would presumably be an option, but this was not announced on Monday.

[tech_au]

I guess I should have mentioned that I was speculating that the Plastic Logic reader will use the Fictionwise flavour of epub DRM but it would be a strange partnership if it didn't.
If they are smart they will support both Adobe and Fictionwise DRM as well as non-DRM epub but I get the feeling they will do the Amazon trick and make you buy from their store only.

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by tech_au

I guess I should have mentioned that I was speculating that the Plastic Logic reader will use the Fictionwise flavour of epub DRM but it would be a strange partnership if it didn't.
If they are smart they will support both Adobe and Fictionwise DRM as well as non-DRM epub but I get the feeling they will do the Amazon trick and make you buy from their store only.

Check out their announcement, they specifically mention licensing Adobe's DRM.

[tech_au]

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

Check out their announcement, they specifically mention licensing Adobe's DRM.

Well, This is getting stranger They do mention in their press release that they(Plastic Logic) will be using Adobe DRM on their ereader.Maybe Fictionwise will use Adobe DRM in their new ereader format. Who Knows

[Lemurion]

If true, Adobe DRM would be a huge step backward from eReader DRM, and a complete reversal of policy for Fictionwise.. They bought eReader so they'd have one DRM format they controlled, and going to Adobe DRM would completely negate that.

[GntlmnBndt]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

If true, Adobe DRM would be a huge step backward from eReader DRM, and a complete reversal of policy for Fictionwise.. They bought eReader so they'd have one DRM format they controlled, and going to Adobe DRM would completely negate that.

While I agree that eReader DRM is far preferable, I don't think Fictionwise has ever said they would drop or avoid other DRM systems. They have worked with secure PDF in the past, so they may be planning to support Adobe DRM on ePub as well (in fact, they may only be waiting until their own ePub eReader files and software are ready to go). Also, Fictionwise has worked with other organizations to create custom book stores (both PDABookstore.com and EPICAuthors.com are "Powered by Fictionwise" and Stanza has their own storefront at stanza.fictionwise.com).

Even if this Plastic Logic store is only Adobe DRM, I don't really see this as being any different. Though, as I said, they may certainly have a preference for getting their ePub software deployed before serving it up for Adobe to brag about a boost in the number of titles available.

Hopefully they will also update their Ebook Studio and DropBook software. It would be nice to have some more consumer-level tools available for ePub creation/conversion.

The Bandit

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

If true, Adobe DRM would be a huge step backward from eReader DRM, and a complete reversal of policy for Fictionwise.. They bought eReader so they'd have one DRM format they controlled, and going to Adobe DRM would completely negate that.

Fictionwise already sells Secure Adobe protected ebooks (PDF not sure if they have any ePub). So, it is not a stretch that they would/could provide them via a portal type web site/service for plastic logic. I think Fictionwise wins either way as long as people are buying books from them.

BOb

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by GntlmnBndt

I don't think Fictionwise has ever said they would drop or avoid other DRM systems.

I agree, the FictionWise run Plastic Logic store can and will support Adobe DRM. Also, FictionWise has not officially announced ePub with "eReader" DRM, so Plastic Logic could hardly mention it in a press release even if this is in their plans too.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Also, FictionWise has not officially announced ePub with "eReader" DRM

I recall that they had. Or was that not "official"?

BOb

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I recall that they had. Or was that not "official"?

The only reference I am aware of is teleread: SCOOP! eReader format licensed to Lexcycle, eReader coming to new platforms, and more! which says (based on an e-mail exchange with Steve Pendergrast, co-owner of FictionWise):

ePub for eReader

The current form of eReader markup is a sort of pseudo-HTML that uses backslashes instead of brackets. With minor updates, it dates all the way back to 1998. Although it still looks good in the reader, it is very much a legacy platform.

But that may soon change. Steve mentioned that Fictionwise plans to update the eReader applications to handle ePub books wrapped in eReader DRM, with a completion goal of sometime in 2009. He was hesitant to name a timeframe any more specific than that, because nine separate platforms’ clients will have to be updated to handle the new format, and a snag in any one of them could delay the release for all.

I don't think there is any doubt that this is FictionWise's plan, but the above certainly isn't a press release.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

I don't think there is any doubt that this is FictionWise's plan, but the above certainly isn't a press release.

Ah, ok thanks. But, if Fictionwise comes out with a press release to deny this rumor then we can be sure that it will happen.

BOb

[Kris777]

How many books available in ePUB format on Fictionwise website?
I didn't find ePub in the list of multiformat books:
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [660 KB], eReader (PDB) [138 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [139 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [124 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [169 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [194 KB], hiebook (KML) [325 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [222 KB], iSilo (PDB) [116 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [143 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [190 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [201 KB]

[susan_cassidy]

Maybe it won't be one of the Multiformat "flavors". Multiformat books on Fictionwise don't have DRM, but their Secure Mobipocket, Secure Microsoft, Secure Adobe Reader, etc. sure do.