What is DRM?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. It is a means for the publisher to control the amount of copying, pasting and printing of their ebooks. It is a form of copyright protection used to fight unauthorised distribution of their copyrighted works (known as piracy).
What type of DRM does eBooks.com use?
eBooks.com currently supports two DRM systems: Readium LCP (Licensed Content Protection) and Adobe DRM.
You can choose to download to Thorium Reader (which uses Readium LCP), or to Adobe Digital Editions (which uses Adobe DRM). In either instance the reader software if free.
We recommend using Thorium Reader as the newer, better supported software with a larger number of accessibility features.
However Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is still the system that is most widely supported amongst e-reader devices. So if you e-reader device supports Adobe DRM you would want to download to ADE.
If you do not want to use Thorium Reader or Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) you do not have to, but the software you do use needs to support either Readium LCP or Adobe DRM.
You can also read ebooks on your computer without downloading or installing anything. Our proprietary Online Reader lets you read ebooks on a computer in your web browser.
If you want to read on a phone or tablet, then our proprietary app, called Ebook Reader, does the trick. Although you can download to any app that supports Readium LCP or Adobe DRM if you wish.
If you are concerned about whether your device is supported please see our device guide.
Are all of the ebooks that eBooks.com sells DRM protected?
No, but the majority are. It is the publisher's decision whether DRM is applied or not. And it can vary from ebook to ebook, and even from format to format for the same ebook.
How do I check what DRM settings are applied to an ebook before I make my purchase?
You can check whether an ebook has DRM applied to it by checking the ebook's product page. Listed underneath the "About this Ebook" heading it will list the File formats. For example:
"PDF (DRM Protected)" or "EPUB (DRM Protected)"
"DRM Protected" means that DRM is applied. If it says:
EPUB (drm free, digitally watermarked)
This means DRM is not applied.
Even if the ebook is DRM-free it may state it is "digitally watermarked". The watermark will not restrict you from using the ebook in any way. For more information see the Social DRM section below.
You can view the DRM settings for each format under the "Ebook Permissions" heading. Click on Print, Copy, or Read Aloud to get the restrictions for that particular function.
For each available format (Online Reader, EPUB, PDF) it will specify what restrictions the publisher has placed on the copying and pasting, printing, and read aloud functionality.
Is there an easier way to find DRM-free ebooks?
We have implemented a search results filter, so once you have completed a regular search you can use the filter to the right of the search results to only display those ebooks that are DRM-free in at least one format.
We also have an Advanced Search that has a DRM option that you can set to DRM-Free before you search.
Or you can use one of these pages to immediately browse only DRM-free ebooks:
How will DRM effect my ebook?
If you are downloading to Readium LCP compatible software, after downloading your ebook you will be asked to enter your LCP Passphrase / Reading Key. This will be displayed on your eBooks.com download page so it is simply a matter of copying and pasting it. You only need to do this once.
If you are downloading to Adobe DRM compatible software, before downloading your ebook you will need to authorise your software with an Adobe ID. This means the ebook reader software will acknowledge you as the owner of the ebook and allow you to open and read it. If you wish to transfer the ebook to another device you need to authorise that device with the same Adobe ID in order for the ebook to open. You can authorise up to 10 devices with a single Adobe ID, but only one computer. If you get a new computer you will need to deauthorise your old computer in order to authorise your new computer with the same Adobe ID.
In addition, the amount of printing or copying and pasting you can do may be restricted, or prevented entirely. It will also determine whether the read aloud functionality is enabled for the ebook or not.
This all sounds very complicated...
If you are not familiar with ebooks it can be a bit daunting at first, but in reality it is fairly straightforward. If you need any help at any point we have lots of help articles on the subject, and you can also contact our support team.
Also if you use our Online Reader (compatible with all major browsers) or our Ebook Reader app (iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire) you don't need to worry about any authorisation as we take care of that side of things automatically, so you can relax and have a stress-free reading experience.
Can't you just send me a DRM-free ebook file?
No we cannot. Our publishers determine whether DRM is applied to their ebooks. If DRM is meant to be applied and we send you a DRM-free ebook file we will be in breach of contract.
Can I get a DRM-free file as a sight-impaired user?
Many publishers are willing and able to provide accessible digital versions of their books to reading-impaired users.
However we, eBooks.com, are not licensed to provide digital files on that basis, whether for a fee or free of charge.
If you need a DRM-free file for this reason please contact the publisher directly to discuss this.
Can I remove the DRM from my ebook?
No. Doing so breaches our Customer License.
Does this mean I cannot share my ebook?
No, you can't. The publishers who sell their eBooks through eBooks.com do not allow end users to re-distribute an ebook once they've bought it. Ebooks that are sold at eBooks.com are intended only for the use of the one person who buys them (single user license).
I bought an ebook with DRM by mistake, can I return it?
Yes, but the request is subject to our standard Refund Policy. To request a refund please contact our support team.
What is Social DRM / do you offer Social DRM?
Social DRM is a practice where the ebook is supplied to the user without any restrictions in place so they can do as they wish with it, but pages are tagged with their name and email address so if the ebook is pirated then they can be held responsible. eBooks.com does have the ability to supply ebooks with Social DRM and if it is applied the ebook's product page will state the book is DRM-free and digitally watermarked.
If Social DRM is applied to a book on eBooks.com then it will effect the book in the following ways: If the format is PDF then a digital watermark is inserted at the bottom of every tenth page in ebook. If the format is EPUB the digital watermark is also there, but we can hide it so it doesn't detract from your reading experience.
I have a question about DRM that is not answered here
Please contact our support team. We will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
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