Delayed firmware update due to legal dispute? - Page 4

Prospect · 10-14-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffi

The whole legal dispute theory has no basis because they handed out a preview of their firmware at a Paris meeting and we have it from users who have that firmware that there is no mobi AND ePub DRM on that one.
If the delay (it was scheduled for 1st quarter 2009) was due to legal problems how could they give that firmware to users months after the deadline? Even if they did, legally they would be required to ask the users to revert back to the original firmware (even though they cannot enforce it they at least have to try or they would be at fault).

I can not offer any explanation for the Paris meeting firmware distribution, but I do does not debunk the legal dispute theory. For instance it might be that the agreement does allow a limited test distribution, that Bookeen tried a limited distribution to test Amazon's reaction, or that consent was obtained for this distribution.

Slider1960 · 10-14-2009, 12:49 PM

Well I keep coming back to here to see if there's an update (better than going to Bookeen 'cos I'll also find out if it works!), and kind of tire of reading these endless threads of speculation.

But a friend of mine just got a Cool-er reader http://www.coolreaders.com/ which is based on exactly the same hardware as the Gen 3 and currently comes with support for DRM ePub and non DRM mobi out of the box, has folder views and all. It appears to come from a US manufacturer.

Probably slightly off topic, but if a product released on the same platform a few months ago has better functionality than one two years old I have to worry about motivation on the part of Bookeen.

I did wonder about the possibility of firmware working across platforms but as the key sequence to initiate the firmware update is different points to a different bios. Strangely the last cybook update was about 6meg, the cool-er one is over 100meg.

EowynCarter · 10-14-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slider1960

Well I keep coming back to here to see if there's an update (better than going to Bookeen 'cos I'll also find out if it works!), and kind of tire of reading these endless threads of speculation.

But a friend of mine just got a Cool-er reader http://www.coolreaders.com/ which is based on exactly the same hardware as the Gen 3 and currently comes with support for DRM ePub and non DRM mobi out of the box, has folder views and all. It appears to come from a US manufacturer.

Probably slightly off topic, but if a product released on the same platform a few months ago has better functionality than one two years old I have to worry about motivation on the part of Bookeen.

I did wonder about the possibility of firmware working across platforms but as the key sequence to initiate the firmware update is different points to a different bios. Strangely the last cybook update was about 6meg, the cool-er one is over 100meg.

Cool-er use netronix firmware

Snuffi · 10-15-2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prospect

I can not offer any explanation for the Paris meeting firmware distribution, but I do does not debunk the legal dispute theory. For instance it might be that the agreement does allow a limited test distribution, that Bookeen tried a limited distribution to test Amazon's reaction, or that consent was obtained for this distribution.

Of course it's not possible to rule out the legal trouble theory entirely but there was nothing changed in the mobi DRM support so there is no visible foothold for Amazon to block the mobi firmware (addition of folder view, change font width with two dedicated buttons, these things don't infringe on Amazon territory). Bookeen can change the user interface all they want, if Amazon would have a say in the development of stuff not related to the mobipocket format und its DRM then that would not only be a uniquely limited contract no sane person would sign but it would also block the competition alike.

Or do you have any idea what could possibly Amazon's legal argument to block the firmware? Is there something I am missing?

Snuffi · 10-15-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slider1960

Probably slightly off topic, but if a product released on the same platform a few months ago has better functionality than one two years old I have to worry about motivation on the part of Bookeen.

Actually, not unusual at all. If a new device doesn't offer more or the same in a better way, what would be the customer motivation to buy one? It's logical that a company tries to enhance a new product as much as possible to increase sales. It's also logical that Bookeen dedicates more time to their newly released and planned device (which bring in the money) and less to enhancing the already sold ones. They just shouldn't promise stuff they don't keep...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slider1960

I did wonder about the possibility of firmware working across platforms but as the key sequence to initiate the firmware update is different points to a different bios. Strangely the last cybook update was about 6meg, the cool-er one is over 100meg.

100 MB??? I know of a Linux distribution for a PC which fits into just 50 MB. What is there and is there even enough ROM in the device for all of that? I suspect in those 100 MB is probably some windows software also or it's some kind of development kit with additional stuff...

Prospect · 10-15-2009, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffi

Of course it's not possible to rule out the legal trouble theory entirely but there was nothing changed in the mobi DRM support so there is no visible foothold for Amazon to block the mobi firmware (addition of folder view, change font width with two dedicated buttons, these things don't infringe on Amazon territory). Bookeen can change the user interface all they want, if Amazon would have a say in the development of stuff not related to the mobipocket format und its DRM then that would not only be a uniquely limited contract no sane person would sign but it would also block the competition alike.

Or do you have any idea what could possibly Amazon's legal argument to block the firmware? Is there something I am missing?

If you have a legal dispute with your licensor bad things starts to happen. The licensor can for instance claim that since you have acted in breach of the agreement, or stated your intention to do so, the agreement is terminated and you do not have the right to distribute new versions of firmware containing updated code from the licensor, or new versions at all.

This is of curse all speculation. My point is merely that it might offer an explanation for Bookeens strange behaviour the last year.

K-Thom · 10-15-2009, 04:54 AM

Another reason to totally drop PRC, if that would be the case. Why let Amazon involve into my long-term business decisions?

GeoffC · 10-15-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Another reason to totally drop PRC, if that would be the case. Why let Amazon involve into my long-term business decisions?

except almost my entire library is in .prc .... not forgetting also drm'ed .....

Snuffi · 10-15-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prospect

If you have a legal dispute with your licensor bad things starts to happen. The licensor can for instance claim that since you have acted in breach of the agreement, or stated your intention to do so, the agreement is terminated and you do not have the right to distribute new versions of firmware containing updated code from the licensor, or new versions at all.

This is of curse all speculation. My point is merely that it might offer an explanation for Bookeens strange behaviour the last year.

Can't really prove that it's not legal troubles, I just want to add that we have been waiting for folder view since before there was even whispered talk about ePub. Any legal dispute which blocks a change of an UI for more than a year should by then either be at court or resolved (by resolved I also inlcude the option that Bookeen decides against going to court, finds no way around the legal problem and announces that there will be no future firmware). There is no use in hushing that up for months and months. It just makes you look incompetent and that's worse than admitting to legal troubles...

GeoffC · 10-15-2009, 06:53 AM

perhaps they are waiting for dictionary support for ePub

Snuffi · 10-15-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

perhaps they are waiting for dictionary support for ePub

perhaps they are waiting for DRM to be abolished. Saves them a lot of work/trouble and it can't be long. Any time now. Actually, quite sooooon.

GeoffC · 10-15-2009, 09:33 AM

HEY !

perhaps they are developing a new super dooper language to surpass all others !!!!!!!

MichaelGade · 10-25-2009, 08:24 AM

A thought:

Could it be the new firmware is delayed because you need an WORKING SD card to get it.
Does ANYBODY have a WORKING SD card.

Mine wont work (when it does work, it is soooooo sloooooow (like 6Kb/s)). And the device is perfectly capable of simply trashing the card. Oh, you can reformat it and try again.

But still, does anybody have a SD card that really works.

T_Frain_K · 10-25-2009, 09:15 AM

Yes, me. And I expect most others as well.
It´s a microSD-card with 2 GB (note: no SD-HC).

Quote:

Could it be the new firmware is delayed because you need an WORKING SD card to get it.

I almost got you wrong here: I´ve nearly read, 'Could it be the new firmware is delayed because you need someone WORKING on it.'
Which just might be the case

rireed3 · 10-25-2009, 10:50 AM

The Netronix machines would seem to offer the likely source of any legal dispute, but BeBook (HanLin eBook V3) have had on their web site alternative mobi/epub firmwares since May. It makes me wonder if Bookeen contracted out the changes to a company that did work for one of the HanLin sellers and then fell afoul of some copyright problem. Both machines have ARM processors and run Linux.

Richard

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10-14-2009, 12:49 PM	#47
Slider1960 Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 596608 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle PaperWhite, iPad	Well I keep coming back to here to see if there's an update (better than going to Bookeen 'cos I'll also find out if it works!), and kind of tire of reading these endless threads of speculation. But a friend of mine just got a Cool-er reader http://www.coolreaders.com/ which is based on exactly the same hardware as the Gen 3 and currently comes with support for DRM ePub and non DRM mobi out of the box, has folder views and all. It appears to come from a US manufacturer. Probably slightly off topic, but if a product released on the same platform a few months ago has better functionality than one two years old I have to worry about motivation on the part of Bookeen. I did wonder about the possibility of firmware working across platforms but as the key sequence to initiate the firmware update is different points to a different bios. Strangely the last cybook update was about 6meg, the cool-er one is over 100meg.

10-15-2009, 04:54 AM	#52
K-Thom The one and only Posts: 3,302 Karma: 535819 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: yup!	Another reason to totally drop PRC, if that would be the case. Why let Amazon involve into my long-term business decisions?

10-15-2009, 06:53 AM	#55
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	perhaps they are waiting for dictionary support for ePub

10-15-2009, 09:33 AM	#57
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	HEY ! perhaps they are developing a new super dooper language to surpass all others !!!!!!!

10-25-2009, 08:24 AM	#58
MichaelGade Banned Posts: 19 Karma: 262 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Device: CyBook Gen3	A thought: Could it be the new firmware is delayed because you need an WORKING SD card to get it. Does ANYBODY have a WORKING SD card. Mine wont work (when it does work, it is soooooo sloooooow (like 6Kb/s)). And the device is perfectly capable of simply trashing the card. Oh, you can reformat it and try again. But still, does anybody have a SD card that really works.

10-25-2009, 10:50 AM	#60
rireed3 Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 358 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: BeBook 1, Cybook Gen3	The Netronix machines would seem to offer the likely source of any legal dispute, but BeBook (HanLin eBook V3) have had on their web site alternative mobi/epub firmwares since May. It makes me wonder if Bookeen contracted out the changes to a company that did work for one of the HanLin sellers and then fell afoul of some copyright problem. Both machines have ARM processors and run Linux. Richard

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