New apps offer DRM removal option for Kindle, Nook, Adobe Adept
An interesting piece of news came across my desk a few days a go, and it sounded too good to be true. But it’s not.
I’ve come across a developer (iPubsoft) who is selling DRM removal apps that will work on Kindle, Nook, and Adept DRM (used on Epubs sold by everyone other than Apple and B&N). That means that he offers a solution for all 3 major flavors of DRM (iBooks doesn’t count) and you can get the apps for both Windows and OSX. He’s selling them for $30 to $35 a pop, which is a little high. I’d rather pay $50 for the set.
I’ve downloaded and tested the app that removes Kindle DRM. The process is somewhat clunky but it works. It requires an old version of Kindle 4PC, and it only works on 1 ebook at a time; I’d much rather have it work its way through my entire collection.
I’ve looked over the help and instruction pages for the other apps and based on how they’re written (and the technical details included), I believe the other apps will also work as described.
Do you realize what this means? We’ve had DRM removal tools since forever, but they’ve always been passed quietly from one person to the next. Now there is a commercial developer boasting about the tools he sells.
I wonder what the feds will do?
I have to say I’m surprised at the gutsyness displayed by the developer. He’s painted a bullseye on his back. Removing DRM is likely illegal even for personal use (it’s a gray area), and selling commercial DRM removal software is certainly a violation of the DMCA.
Publishers might not care that these tools are being sold, but most major publishers are part of media conglomerates. Someone higher up the chain might decide to sic the federal government on the developer. Do you recall late last year when Matthew Crippen was prosecuted for installing modchips in XBoxes? The case fell apart, yes, but it still almost went to trial. That’s what the developer of these apps might face.
We’re going to find out in the next 6 months to a year whether DRM removal is a crime. Interesting, no?
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