: Re: Is it possible to self-publish ebooks with DRM? I've created software to generate valid ebooks from HTML/XML and auxillary files (metadata, cover artwork, etc.) The software produces books in

@Ravi

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Allow me to offer a more modern answer from the perspective of a programmer. To answer your question, solutions may exist, but it's often a cost with no return.

DRM is intrinsically useless. It makes people feel like they're protected, but it provides no actual protection. Every DRM ever created has been broken and every DRM that will be created will be broken. This is because there is nothing about software that cannot be modified or changed at any time. Even the highest security encryption is only valuable until the key to unlocking it is released — and that assumes the encryption itself hasn't been broken (as every form of encryption eventually will be, which is the reason new encryption algorithms are periodically released).

Regrettably, the world is full of programmers who will break DRM simply for the challenge. Once they do, instructions for the programmatically inclined and simple software for those who aren't quickly find their way to the Internet.

In conclusion, DRM (not unlike most gun laws) serve only to keep the basically honest people honest. It will never stop the dishonest from being dishonest. If you sincerely believe your book is or will be both (a) popular and (b) valuable, then your best solution is to publish only in print. DRM will not stop a determined person from duplicating your book.

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