Open-source ereader for DRM protected books

Reader33 · 04-17-2013, 03:35 PM

I'm looking for an open-source ereader app that I can use to read DRM-protected ebooks, such as those from overdrive. Needs to read pdf and epub books. I have some ideas for development with the app, thus hoping for an open source app that I could use as a starting point.

DaleDe · 04-17-2013, 04:05 PM

If you had an open source reader that could read DRM then you would have a tool to override any DRM. DRM for overdrive is licensed by Adobe. Having said that you can look at our forum OpenInkpot for an open source eBook reader.

Dale

Reader33 · 04-18-2013, 12:07 AM

Great, thanks! BTW, not looking to remove/override DRM, just want it compatible with DRM protected formats.

Any other suggestions out there?

Reader33 · 04-18-2013, 12:09 AM

Forgot to mention...would be nice to have cross-platform compatibility:
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS

Gudy · 04-18-2013, 05:24 AM

What you're looking for is fundamentally impossible, or more precisely illegal, in most Western jurisdictions: Any Open Source software that is able to read DRM-infested content is by its very nature a tool that can be used to circumvent the DRM in question.

So. Any legal Open Source software that can read e-books can not read DRM-infested e-books. Any Open Source software that can read DRM-infested e-books is illegal under the DMCA and similar laws which outlaw the circumvention of DRM. Any software that can legally read DRM-infested e-books must be closed source.

pdurrant · 04-18-2013, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gudy

Any software that can legally read DRM-infested e-books must be closed source.

Exactly so.

grosbedo · 04-19-2013, 02:23 PM

I don't know if there is an opensource ebook reader which can read DRM, but there are opensource softwares and freewares that can remove them, eg:

[Direct links to DRM removal software are not permitted. The most you are permitted to do is mention that googling for Apprentice Alf might help. (And the link you had here was not to open source/freeware.)]

And talking about law, DRM is not totally lawful as a concept: a fundamental right is that you can use what you own in any way it pleases you (as long as it is not for terrorism), thus you can theoretically remove DRM in vertue of your constitutional rights.

However, making softwares that can remove DRM is a bit of a grey area, because such software can also be used for piracy. But this is clearly arguable as a lot of other areas in laws: when a tool may be harmful, do you necessarily have to forbid it? Since knives are potentially dangerous, do we have to forbit any possession of them?

pdurrant · 04-19-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grosbedo

but there are opensource softwares and freewares that can remove them

You will notice that the authors of DRM-removal software all go by pseudonyms. There's a reason for that. In many countries, distribution of such software is illegal. Commercial distribution in some places can result in criminal prosecution.

04-17-2013, 03:35 PM	#1
Reader33 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: none	Open-source ereader for DRM protected books I'm looking for an open-source ereader app that I can use to read DRM-protected ebooks, such as those from overdrive. Needs to read pdf and epub books. I have some ideas for development with the app, thus hoping for an open source app that I could use as a starting point.

04-19-2013, 02:23 PM	#7
grosbedo Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Hanvon N518	I don't know if there is an opensource ebook reader which can read DRM, but there are opensource softwares and freewares that can remove them, eg: [Direct links to DRM removal software are not permitted. The most you are permitted to do is mention that googling for Apprentice Alf might help. (And the link you had here was not to open source/freeware.)] And talking about law, DRM is not totally lawful as a concept: a fundamental right is that you can use what you own in any way it pleases you (as long as it is not for terrorism), thus you can theoretically remove DRM in vertue of your constitutional rights. However, making softwares that can remove DRM is a bit of a grey area, because such software can also be used for piracy. But this is clearly arguable as a lot of other areas in laws: when a tool may be harmful, do you necessarily have to forbid it? Since knives are potentially dangerous, do we have to forbit any possession of them? Last edited by pdurrant; 04-19-2013 at 02:43 PM.

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04-17-2013, 04:05 PM	#2
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	If you had an open source reader that could read DRM then you would have a tool to override any DRM. DRM for overdrive is licensed by Adobe. Having said that you can look at our forum OpenInkpot for an open source eBook reader. Dale

04-18-2013, 12:07 AM	#3
Reader33 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: none	Great, thanks! BTW, not looking to remove/override DRM, just want it compatible with DRM protected formats. Any other suggestions out there?

04-18-2013, 12:09 AM	#4
Reader33 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: none	Forgot to mention...would be nice to have cross-platform compatibility: Windows Mac Android iOS

04-18-2013, 05:24 AM	#5
Gudy Wizard Posts: 1,154 Karma: 3252017 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Germany Device: Pocketbook Touch Lux (623)	What you're looking for is fundamentally impossible, or more precisely illegal, in most Western jurisdictions: Any Open Source software that is able to read DRM-infested content is by its very nature a tool that can be used to circumvent the DRM in question. So. Any legal Open Source software that can read e-books can not read DRM-infested e-books. Any Open Source software that can read DRM-infested e-books is illegal under the DMCA and similar laws which outlaw the circumvention of DRM. Any software that can legally read DRM-infested e-books must be closed source.