Ever since the Internet expanded into the global market, people have been trying to find ways to leverage tools to gain access to free content. It seems to be typical behavior, but is it an acceptable practice? What about the writers and publishers not getting paid for copyrighted material? Do they matter? Or do they make enough money to justify the sharing of content? There have always been three sides to this argument: the people who pay for the content, those who create it, and those who distribute it.
Book publishers and e-reader brands, Kindle and Kobo, implement Digital Rights Management (DRM) on their files to protect their content from unauthorized sharing. The technology behind DRM is similar to a watermark on a picture but in file format. But what is the ultimate goal of this protection? Does it even work? The correct answer is that it works to some degree, but there is a workaround to everything, and good hackers will always find a way to access free stuff.
Free is part of our social culture, but free always comes at a cost to someone. Sharing is not caring when someone is being short-changed.
Many people do not realize they do not fully own the rights to the content they purchase. Publishers can remove e-books from their libraries, and if you link to a file instead of downloading it, you may lose access to it entirely. Yes, even when you have paid for the e-book. They can ask you to remove it from your library without any explanation.
Kindle is known for having one of the most challenging Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems, but it is possible to crack it with applications like DeDRM, ADE, and Calibre. Although the process is more intricate than I can explain here, the basic idea is to convert the eBook file into a more accessible format, such as PDF or ePub, for digital viewing. Then, the eBook can be downloaded or shared.
Technically legal, sharing content is highly debatable.
Kobo e-readers are easier to manipulate because they support many file formats. This flexibility makes the Kobo one of the most versatile e-readers on the market because you will not need to convert most files.
I don’t believe big brands or best-selling authors worry about individuals sharing content with family or friends. However, issues arise when people start sharing free material on their websites or using someone else’s content as free marketing.
There seems to be a distinction between sharing with a small group and sharing with a larger audience. I don’t advocate for piracy in general because, as a writer, my income depends on it; I do feel cheated every time my book or content is shared without proper compensation or credit. I have shared a book or two with family members over the years.
For environmental reasons, I have no objections to moving away from paper printing instead of more sustainable digital e-reading. Though I must admit, you cannot beat the smell and feel of printed books. Perhaps the solution lies in limiting book publishing to collectible editions. This way, books could become more valuable instead of ending up at a local flea market or bazaar.
Authors and independent publishers benefit from DRM by discouraging the unauthorized copying and distribution of e-books. After all, copying the material is difficult, even with conversion applications. Publishers and authors control access to their e-books by limiting the number of devices an e-book can be accessed, adding an expiration date, or requiring user authentication. However, while DRM limits copyrighting, it does not stop it entirely.
What about your responsibility as a reader?
Reading involves more than just opening a book and absorbing the words; it requires an appreciation for the artistry and effort that goes into writing. Imagine a world where artists, musicians, and writers did not receive compensation for their work—what motivation would they have to create the next blockbuster? Creative individuals would need to seek alternative ways to earn a living, and our entertainment options would suffer. While AI-generated content may be available, it lacks the excitement and unpredictability of human creativity. Readers who support artists by purchasing books are not treated relatively if someone else obtains illegal copies of the same content.
As readers, it is our responsibility to support writers. Although I understand that some people find books expensive, instead of sharing them illegally, I encourage you to visit libraries or at least credit the owner. There are millions of free books that are DRM-free, so it is more appropriate (and kinder) to download them. Let’s face it: We could never read all the available content on the Internet today, so what is the need for this overabundance?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) appears to be necessary for now, as there is no technology capable of eliminating illegal distribution methods. However, is it enough? Individuals will always attempt to exploit the system, but you don’t have to be one of them. Respecting DRM and copyright laws is crucial for ensuring that art and literature continue to thrive in the future. Remember, books matter, and so do the writers, readers, and publishers.
On the other hand, advocates want to eliminate DRM so that content can be shared across devices. While I sympathize with them, I also think that some form of compensation is necessary to do this because the people who created the content are at the root of this debate. How do we balance them? Only time will tell.
Writing has always been her passion and a voice for those who cannot speak. She considers herself fortunate to write every day and says her mantra is, “I drink coffee, write, and I know about people and technology.” Her writing is diverse and can be found online on websites like LifeHack, You Have a Calling, Medium, TechCrunch and, She Knows.
