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Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

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Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#281

Post by DennisP »

terinjokes wrote: post #170
DennisP wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a Kobo for the same reason but when it came to buying books, none of the books I wanted to buy were on Kobo's store.

If you want to be part of Kindle Unlimited you have to give worldwide exclusivity to Kindle Unlimited, and can't have ever published your eBook on another platform. Even if I wanted to join, Kindle Unlimited is not offered here. I can't even buy the eBook from Amazon.

It's not just that. E.g. Cooper and Hutchinson's edition of Plato's complete works, available on Kindle for $31.[1] Or on another tack, Yudkowski's recent If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies.[2] Neither book is on Unlimited, and I couldn't find either one on Kobo. I struck out half a dozen times in a row and finally gave up.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZ4NMHU

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Anyone-Builds-Everyone-Dies-Superhuma...

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#282

Post by immibis »

icqFDR wrote: post #44

I’d advise anyone buying e-books on Amazon to think it through carefully. My account was banned recently because, years ago, I ordered two paper books that Amazon said would be split into two shipments. Both books arrived without any issues, but later Amazon refunded me for one of them, claiming that one package never arrived. This happened 4–5 years ago. Apparently, during a recent review, they decided this counted…

Do you live in a place with consumer protections? Sue them - small claims court.

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#283

Post by boznz »

crtasm wrote: post #109
codazoda wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a self-published author. This is the default setting for new books uploaded without DRM. It's gated behind an "I understand" checkbox. I plan to allow my books to be downloaded as PDF and ePUB. It makes sense not to do this retroactively.

Can you create the epub and pdf files yourself and have them distributed unaltered?

As an independent author you can do what you wish. The only restriction is if you are in the Amazon KDP select program then you have promised Amazon exclusive use for a cut of the Kindle Select pie. I also distribute my books on all the other platforms, and for my free sci-fi book host it direct on my web site and on my Ko-Fi shop (the 'buy-me-a-coffee' site). Selling directly and collecting money requires a bit too much work but technically you could do it.

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#284

Post by [deleted] »

icqFDR wrote: post #44

I’d advise anyone buying e-books on Amazon to think it through carefully. My account was banned recently because, years ago, I ordered two paper books that Amazon said would be split into two shipments. Both books arrived without any issues, but later Amazon refunded me for one of them, claiming that one package never arrived. This happened 4–5 years ago. Apparently, during a recent review, they decided this counted…

[deleted]

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#286

Post by profsummergig »

icqFDR wrote: post #44

I’d advise anyone buying e-books on Amazon to think it through carefully. My account was banned recently because, years ago, I ordered two paper books that Amazon said would be split into two shipments. Both books arrived without any issues, but later Amazon refunded me for one of them, claiming that one package never arrived. This happened 4–5 years ago. Apparently, during a recent review, they decided this counted…

I would claim (to an FTC lawyer) that they might be doing it (double-sending) on purpose to get me to buy my library again (after they cancel it).

Might be worth trying.

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#287

Post by WolfeReader »

zelphirkalt wrote: post #141
wrxd wrote: post #39

This was unexpected. They lost me as a customer when they stopped allowing me to download books I bought and I'm in the Kobo (+ BookLore) side now and I am not coming back. I wonder how many books are actually DRM-free and are going to be affected by this change. I suspect relatively few, but I would be happy to be wrong

But Kobo is bad too. Try refunding a book. Their website sent me in neverending circles and still I could not find a way to refund. Their stuff requires some specific reader or so. I don't quite remember the details, but I bought a book, thinking to avoid Amazon shit. Then I realized that their stuff sucks and I don't want to buy their blessed device or install special reader software. Also not DRM-free. So I wanted…

Bad take. Kobo lets you know which books have DRM and which don't. And even with DRM, you can get them into Adobe Digital Editions and load them on to basically any e-reader. (Maybe not Kindle since it won't open DRM'd ePubs.)

I buy like 60% of my ebooks from Kobo and have never owned a Kobo-brand ereader.

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#288

Post by rpdillon »

asplake wrote: post #217
rpdillon wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In case your question was not rhetorical: to folks like me, I view DRM as abuse, because it inevitably leads to me paying for something that I won't end up being able to access down the line. It is in direct conflict with building a library. Having the author opt-in to applying DRM to their books (as you have on Amazon and Google Play, for example) and then expected me to pay them extra so I can actually own the thin…

I reduced Amazon pricing yesterday for Christmas

Makes sense!

Re: Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks

#290

Post by asveikau »

terinjokes wrote: post #170
DennisP wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a Kobo for the same reason but when it came to buying books, none of the books I wanted to buy were on Kobo's store.

If you want to be part of Kindle Unlimited you have to give worldwide exclusivity to Kindle Unlimited, and can't have ever published your eBook on another platform. Even if I wanted to join, Kindle Unlimited is not offered here. I can't even buy the eBook from Amazon.

My daughter wanted a book that was kindle exclusive in the US, and I found I could purchase an epub from another store by paying in euros and claiming to live in Europe. Needless to say I did this without a VPN and without leaving San Francisco. The book was still in English.

But I wonder if the reason for that little hoop was because of Kindle Unlimited.

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