Amazon will allow ePub and PDF downloads for DRM-free eBooks • Hacker News Board

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

#351

Post by brewdad » Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 11:42 PM UTC

oxzidized wrote: post #346

II2II wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They never said they continued to patronize Amazon. Given the thread kicked off with claims about loosing access to DRMed content due to an unrelated delivery/payment issue, the person involved may be concerned about loosing access to digital content. Some people spend a lot of money on books, movies, etc.. The $1000 may be a drop in the bucket.

> I could chargeback my credit card but I imagine I'd also be permanently banned from Amazon - so instead I accept they've just stolen $1000 from me with no recourse... To some this could imply they wanted to continue doing business with Amazon, so accepted the theft. Not losing access is, in a way, continuing to do business. Not sure if that's what they meant, but I can see it being interpreted as such.

Maybe not continue to do business with them but rather not lose access to their past purchases tied to their Amazon account.

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

#352

Post by wkat4242 » Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 2:43 AM UTC

WolfeReader wrote: post #350

wkat4242 wrote: post #347

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've used it and I found it the worst form of DRM. It required creating an "account" with Adobe despite having no relationship with them (It was to access books at my local library where I already had an account) and the software didn't even work on linux. Even getting it to work at all took ages of tinkering and I'm an IT expert. My parents who just wanted to simply check out a book out of the digital library during…

It's actually simple: 1. Install ADE on Windows (or a Windows VM (recommended)) 2. Log in with Adobe account 3. Download ASCM files from Kobo or Google Play Books and open with ADE 4. the optional step I've been trying to hint at for like 3 posts now 5. Put it on your reader!

Really that is WAY too complicated for my folks. And for me I don't want accounts with big tech companies to do something local so step 2 was already a blocking point.

And as for removing the DRM (I assume that's what you're hinting at), yeah but that can be done with kindle's and kobo's too and in less roundabout ways. The existence of a hack for Adobe DRM doesn't make that a 'good' DRM.

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

#353

Post by WolfeReader » Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:50 PM UTC

wkat4242 wrote: post #352

WolfeReader wrote: post #350

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's actually simple: 1. Install ADE on Windows (or a Windows VM (recommended)) 2. Log in with Adobe account 3. Download ASCM files from Kobo or Google Play Books and open with ADE 4. the optional step I've been trying to hint at for like 3 posts now 5. Put it on your reader!

Really that is WAY too complicated for my folks. And for me I don't want accounts with big tech companies to do something local so step 2 was already a blocking point. And as for removing the DRM (I assume that's what you're hinting at), yeah but that can be done with kindle's and kobo's too and in less roundabout ways. The existence of a hack for Adobe DRM doesn't make that a 'good' DRM.

OK, how do "your folks" break Kindle's DRM?

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

#354

Post by crtasm » Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 11:03 PM UTC

codazoda wrote: post #215

crtasm wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Technically, yes, but Amazon customers probably wouldn't benefit from that. I don't currently distribute or sell books directly because that creates a tax burden. So it's probably best to let the various stores handle it. I still want to sell books but I don't want my readers to be restricted by DRM for a book they paid for. The honor system is fine for me. Edit: I now realize you might mean in the Amazon KDP UI. I d…

Yes I wasn't clear - I meant via Amazon's store. Thanks.

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

#355

Post by reassess_blind » Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 4:07 AM UTC

tgsovlerkhgsel wrote: post #7

How many books are actually available DRM-free? This reads a bit like "Amazon will provide free land, construct a paddock and provide feed for life if you order a unicorn, except unicorns don't exist".

Pirated books.

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

#356

Post by Joel_LeBlanc » Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 3:32 AM UTC

It's an interesting move by Amazon, and evaluating DRM effectiveness is crucial, especially if you're considering investing in digital assets that use it. In my experience, the best approach is to analyze user feedback and sales performance post-implementation. I've found that tools like the Digital Real Estate Analyzer (DREA) can really help streamline the due diligence process, especially for assessing the potential stability of a digital asset. It’s all about understanding how these changes impact both the market and user experience.