Amazon allows DRM-free ebook, Apple refuses

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by vaughnmr

Where would one find definitive information about the Apple iBookstore publishing and DRM. Am I using the right terms? This is like trying to find information about USSR (hint, I just got through reading "Gorky Park").

Have you tried just asking Apple?

[joblack]

Originally Posted by vaughnmr

, but what I did NOT know that Apple was opposed to DRM-free ebooks. I distinctly remember Jobs talking about how bad DRM for music was in the past.

The paradoxon is easily resolved: Steve Jobs is a hypocrite.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by vaughnmr

Thanks guys for the reply. Although I'm still a little confused, the post in #21 refered to iTunes, not iBooks. Are they the same? And he didn't mention "when" he published the ebook, was this pre iBooks store or after. Where would one find definitive information about the Apple iBookstore publishing and DRM. Am I using the right terms? This is like trying to find information about USSR (hint, I just got through reading "Gorky Park").

The process is a little complicated, but goes something like this (it has been a few weeks):
- you need an iTunes account with a valid credit card number
- complete an application to iTunes Store online application
- this sends you a link to access iTunes Connect
- you need to sign a contract and download 'iTunes Producer'
- you need to have an ISBN number for your book, cover art, and of course an ePub format prepared
- you need to run ePubcheck 1.0.4 on your epub and verify it gets no errors or warnings
- upload content using iTunes Producer (requires a Mac!), this is where you enter metadata, etc -
- iTunes Connect lets you manage your titles, add authorized users and assign access rights to each, manage book rights and pricing for each region. You can choose DRM/noDRM (per region), set an availability date, etc.
- wait around for a week or so while Apple does some sort of approval process

It's far more complicated than self-publishing on Amazon. There are several Apple-authorized agencies that will do everything for you for a fee. But what fun would that be?

[Iphinome]

woah be away for a few days and miss the news huh? Way to go amazon, you suck a little less.