iPad e-books to come wrapped in FairPlay DRM?
updated 03:50 pm EST, Mon February 15, 2010
Apple may use in-house DRM for iBookstore
Apple may go a non-standard route in copy-protecting books sold for the iPad, a rumor maintains today. Citing sources from publishers, the LA Times says Apple will use FairPlay DRM for any copy-protected books. It's not yet evident that this would apply to all books, especially as publishers like O'Reilly have vocally opposed DRM but have deals with Apple.
The accuracy of the claim isn't certain given Apple's choice of format. At its iPad unveiling, the company chose ePub and already has the option of that standard's existing copy protection. Should it decide to use FairPlay, however, the move wouldn't preclude using unprotected ePub or even supporting the official format for books brought in from other stores. Barnes & Noble and Sony are two of the primary champions of the ePub format in the US.
Any use of FairPlay would nonetheless prevent iBookstore titles from being readable outside of Apple's software or hardware while simultaneously giving Apple a largely one-sided control as to which competitors' books are allowed.
Apple hasn't commented on the rumor and isn't expected to confirm any details until the iBookstore is ready to launch.
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Other Book Apps can read Adobe DRM'd ePub Books
The most popular ePub DRM is Adobe DRM. This is managed by Adobe.
iPad users CAN read ePub DRM'd books with Adobe DRM. All they have to do is to download Stanza - for FREE.
Note that Apple's iBook app is NOT included with the iPad. This allows the user to choose between Apple's ePub Books with Fairplay DRM and ePub Books with Adobe DRM (using Stanza or any other Adobe DRM ePub book reader). This allows Apple's users to even use Kindle DRM'd eBooks by downloading the FREE Kindle App. AND Apple's users can even use their Palm doc, Text, PDF books.
Thus Apple's iPad users can use ANY eBook format. As anyone knows "There's an app for that."
Apple's competitors are MUCH MORE LIMITED.
Kindle's users can't use anything except Kindle DRM'd books. Sure they can convert their books to Kindle format - but they have to PAY for it.
Sony's users can only use Adobe DRM'd ePUB or non-DRM'd ePUB books.
Apple's users can read ANY eBook format.
If Apple's users want to read Adobe DRM'd books, they just download Stanza. Stanza, by the way, is owned by Amazon.
Apple's users HAVE CHOICE. Their competitors HAVE NO CHOICE.
Apple's users have the LARGEST selection of eBooks to read because they can read ANY FORMAT.
This is why the iPad is THE BEST eBook reader. It means FREEDOM.