Comments on: ePub is kickstarting the e-book biz: 1.6 million ePub titles available from the Internet Archive alone

By: Felix Torres

Felix Torres — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:09:44 +0000

DRM-free epubs easily convert to DRM-free mobi or anything else. And that’s when they’re not already available as mobi to start with.
So far, it’s hardly a loss to worry about.

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:34 +0000

Richard, I share your belief that it’s misleading to talk up open ePub without playing up the proprietary DRM gotcha so often present. I’ve written about the same. No prob there!

That said, DRMed ePub is better than a DRMed proprietary format. At least if the Kindle can read ePub, then other book sources can supply the nonDRMed variety. Ideally they’ll do so without conversion costs, either directly or through Amazon or anyone else building it into the corporate cost structure.

Thanks,
David

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:52:07 +0000

Richard, I share your belief that it’s misleading to talk up open ePub without playing up the proprietary DRM gotch. I’ve written about the same. No prob there!

That said, DRMed ePub is better than a DRMed proprietary format. At least if the Kindle can read ePub, then other book sources can supplly the nonDRMed variety.

Thanks,
David

By: Richard Askenase

Richard Askenase — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:34:31 +0000

First, Epub books can be converted to the Kindle via Calibre very easily. Yes, that means some computer knowledge and skill. But all 1.6 million are available to the Kindle with this conversion.

Second,. Epub with DRM is really no different than Kindle’s proprietary format. So, there is no real reason for Amazon to open up to EPub unless DRM is eliminated. (Don’t hold your breath waiting for that one.)