DRM - Digital Rights Management for eBooks

To use DRM or not to use DRM...that is the question. Digital Rights Management has been a hot topic since the late 90's and continues to be.

The definition according to Wikipedia,
"Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. The term is used to describe any technology that inhibits uses of digital content not desired or intended by the content provider. The term does not generally refer to other forms of copy protection which can be circumvented without modifying the file or device, such as serial numbers or keyfiles. It can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. The use of digital rights management is controversial. Proponents argue it is needed by copyright holders to prevent unauthorized duplication of their work, either to maintain artistic integrity or to ensure continued revenue streams.

Some opponents, such as the Free Software Foundation, maintain that the use of the word "rights" is misleading and suggest that people instead use the term digital restrictions management. Their position is essentially that copyright holders are restricting the use of material in ways that are beyond the scope of existing copyright laws, and should not be covered by future laws."

As an Author are you concerned that once your eBook is out there, you will no longer have control and are worried about copyright infringement? Here's a question for you; once your eBook is downloaded, if a reader enjoys it so much that they want to pass it along, how different is that from them lending their hard copy book to a friend? What about a library purchasing your hard copy book and lending it out hundreds, maybe even thousands of times?

I remember reading one eAuthor's position on this and he said, why not make a lemon into lemonade? If readers want to pass it along, let them. Make it work for you by promoting yourself within your eBook by including the website where readers can purchase your eBook or refer them back to your own website. It really depends on the level of comfort you have. DRM is still evolving and there are many DRM tools on the market, all of which cost money and have a lot of restrictions themselves. (i.e. A downloaded file may only be granted permission on one computer, causing issues for the reader if they want to transfer it to an eReader, laptop or another device to read.) DRM tools can track and limit the number of times an eBook is downloaded, so then what? I highly recommend doing your research before investing any money into something that may not ease any of your original concerns.

eCommerce is a whole new world for many Authors. I too have asked myself the DRM question and have found a level of comfort by securing my eBook in PDF with copy restrictions. I have chosen the path of trust and am just putting it out there.

Lemonade anyone?

What are your experiences with DRM?

ISBN Definition and the Question, Who Owns the ISBN?

Hi.

I've participated in many on-line conversations about ISBNs lately and wanted to share some information with you.

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number which is a commercial identifier for books. I have included the definition according to Diane Shired, CTM, from the Birds-Eye.Net website:

"Meaning of ISBN - "International Standard Book Number", is a commercial identifier for books. The ISBN is 10 or 13 digits long and it uniquely identifies internationally published books and book-like products. The number consists of 4 to 5 parts:

1. If a 13 digits ISBN, the number has a 978 or 979 prefix EAN (European Article Number) that ensures no two starts the same
2. Country or Language Code (0, 1 =English; 2 = French; and so on. Can be up to 5 digits)
3. Publisher (assigned by the agency)
4. Item Number
5. Check Digit (a single digit computed from other digits) if 10 it’s replaced by “X”

There are many ISBN agencies worldwide; each agent has the exclusive right to assign ISBNs to publishers in their area/territory. For instances, the United States agency is the only one authorized to assign ISBNs to publishers within the U.S., Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and all its territories. Once the agency assigns an ISBN to a publisher, then that publisher can assigned the number to their publications. The publisher cannot re-assign, re-sell, transfer or split their assigned numbers with other publishers.

The ISBN system was established in 1996 in the United Kingdom by W.H. Smith. It was originally SBN (Standard Book Numbering) that was used until the mid-seventies. However, the International Standard (ISO) 2108, ISBN was introduced in 1970."

Thanks Diane for the definition. Here in Canada, the Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS)allocates numbers to publishers/ePublishers (at no charge) who in turn assign them to books/eBooks that they are publishing. At eBookGuides4Life.com, an ISBN is assigned to all eBooks listed on the site regardless of whether it has one from a previous publisher. The ISBN belongs to the ePublisher, not the Author or the eBook. So, heads up for those folks that are being charged for an ISBN, it may not even belong to you, depending on the country you ePublish in. I am continually looking for information on how this is handled in other countries and welcome the input from you.

Yours in ePublishing,
Lori

eBook Readers are Becoming Mainstream - What's New, What's Next

Hi.

Last week when I was at the gym waiting to go to my BodyFlow class (which I totally love), there was a woman standing beside me reading an eBook from her Sony Reader. I couldn't help but ask her how she liked her eBook Reader. She replied that she absolutely loved it and takes it everywhere with her. Confirmed, eBook readers are becoming mainstream. I'm not the only who believes this. Nik Taylor, MSN Techs & Gadgets is saying the same thing. (link below)

You've probably already heard of the Kindle, Sony Reader, Apple Ipad and the Barnes and Noble Nook. But this is just the beginning, there are many more options out there and coming to you soon; Cool-er, astak 5" EZ Reader Pocket Pro, iriver story, Bookeen Cybook Opus, Alex, Skiff, Plastic Logic QUE proReader and more. Click here to find out more about these new eBook readers.

For the Top10Reviews on eBook Readers, click here.

These are exciting times for people who love to read and Authors who want to ePublish. If you own an eBook reader, I'd love to hear about it!

eBook Readers were the Hottest Product Category at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show)

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held in Las Vegas in January. The gadget industry previewed the next 12 months of innovation and according to an article in the Times On-Line, eBook readers were the hottest product category. If you don't have an eBook reader, don't sweat it. Like all technology, they will continue to improve and drop in price. In the meantime, you can still download eBooks from our site, eBookGuides4Life.com, as all of our eBooks are in PDF format, which can be read from any computer, laptop, blackberry, etc. Also, keep in mind that some eBook reading devices have limitations,(i.e. If you buy a Kindle, you are limited to downloading eBooks from Amazon only). I have a Sony Reader and love it!

To read the article from the Times On-Line, click here.

Write Your Own On-Line Press Release for FREE

Hi.

The days of waiting for other people to promote your eBook are over thanks to the magic of the internet. Sending out on-line Press Releases are now within your grasp and you can do it for free. It's a great way for you to promote your eBook(s). A fellow LinkedIn member was kind enough to provide me with the name of a website with information on free on-line Press Releases.

Find out more about free Press Releases by clicking here.

Yours in ePublishing, Lori