Image Comics was an early adopter of offering most of their comics without any digital rights management. Since 2013 they allowed users to shop directly on their website and download comics to their computer and easily load them on their smartphone, tablet or e-reader. A few weeks ago the comics publisher decided to no longer offer DRM-Free comics on their website and gave … [Read more...] about Image Comics is no longer offering DRM-Free Editions
DRM-free
Audiobook publishers and retailers are trying to go DRM-Free
The audiobook market is dominated by Audible and in the United States they control 90% of the market. Audible sells audiobooks directly, but they also are the largest distributor to Apple iBooks. When Amazon acquired the company back in 2008 for $300 million and at the time they said they were going to phase out DRM (Digital Rights Management), but it never happened. When you … [Read more...] about Audiobook publishers and retailers are trying to go DRM-Free
Simon and Schuster Offers DRM-Free eBooks
Major publishers are notoriously fickle about embracing new trends and give sloths a run for their money. We have seen this transpire with eBook subscription services and getting involved in digital libraries. The Science fiction community has been one of the most agile, and many companies such as TOR have completely embraced the DRM-Free mentality. Saga, a division of Simon … [Read more...] about Simon and Schuster Offers DRM-Free eBooks
Angry Robot to Shut Two of its Key Imprints
Book lovers received some sad news about two of UK-based publisher Angry Robot's imprints, its Strange Chemistry division for YA titles and Exhibit A for mystery. The publisher has decided to close its two imprints due to "market saturation," according to some reports, although a post on the company's website insists that its science fiction line is going strong. It even plans … [Read more...] about Angry Robot to Shut Two of its Key Imprints
Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin Start Pay-What-You-Want Comic
"When I told Marcos I was thinking about a comic set in a futuristic U.S. that no longer uses the internet, his first suggestion was that we should make the story exclusively available online," writes Brian K. Vaughan in the afterword to the first issue of The Private Eye. "This is what it's like collaborating with Marcos Martin." Not only did they decide to create a digital … [Read more...] about Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin Start Pay-What-You-Want Comic
Amazon, Big Six Sued by Independent Bookstores Over DRM
As if there wasn't enough interesting controversy in the relationship between Amazon and the Big Six publishing houses, for once they are all on the same side of the courtroom. Three independent bookstores, who seem to be acting on behalf of indie bookshops everywhere, are suing Amazon and the Big Six over the DRM status of ebooks that prevents them from being shared on any … [Read more...] about Amazon, Big Six Sued by Independent Bookstores Over DRM
Cory Doctorow, eBook Piracy, and Dandelions
One of the most entertaining speakers at this year's TOC event--or any publishing event, for that matter--must be self-publishing expert and author Cory Doctorow. While also known for his work as the co-editor of BoingBoing.com, Doctorow's science fiction titles have made him both a beloved author and a major proponent of DRM-free content. Following his morning keynote, … [Read more...] about Cory Doctorow, eBook Piracy, and Dandelions
Unglue.it Back In Action After Finding New Payments Provider
Unglue.it, whose launch earlier this year was only recently overshadowed by its news that it has had its first successful “ungluing,” was forced to halt future attempts at unglue it campaigns when it’s payment processor, Amazon Payments, decided to pull the plug on its acceptance of donations. What is ungluing? It’s the crowdfunding process by which individuals pledge … [Read more...] about Unglue.it Back In Action After Finding New Payments Provider
StoryBundle Posts Second Series of DRM-Free Titles
StoryBundle, the program that launched earlier this year that lets readers pay whatever they think is fair for a group of five to seven indie ebook titles, has now posted its second bundle. This series of five books, plus two bonus books to readers who pay seven dollars or more, is a grouping of thriller titles under the name “The Second Degree Bundle.” As DRM-free books, … [Read more...] about StoryBundle Posts Second Series of DRM-Free Titles
DRM, Compatibility, and Myth
To the average reader who owns a brand-specific device and only shops for books through the device’s parent company, concerns about things like cross-platform compatibility and DRM status might not really be on the radar. And for a large portion of the reading population, that may be the case; browse for a book on your favorite retailer’s site, click the Buy button, and wait … [Read more...] about DRM, Compatibility, and Myth
StoryBundle and the Charitable Work of eBooks
This week, GoodeReader reported on SnugNugget’s initiative to allow consumers set the prices they pay for bundles of ebooks, as well as determine how much of the bundle will go to the author or to a charity; for now, funds from the sale of ebook bundles will go to Book Aid International. Another platform, StoryBundle, works on much the same concept of allowing readers to … [Read more...] about StoryBundle and the Charitable Work of eBooks