In today’s digital age, we frequently enough assume that purchasing an e-book or audiobook grants us true ownership. However, the reality is often far more complex, thanks too Digital Rights Management (DRM). DRM, a technology designed to prevent piracy, places important restrictions on how we can use the digital content we “buy,” raising crucial questions about digital ownership in the 21st century.

The issue gained prominence recently when Amazon changed its policies, limiting users’ ability to download copies of their Kindle books. This sparked a wave of concern among readers who felt they were losing control over content they had paid for.

Consider this: You buy a physical book at barnes & Noble. You own it. You can lend it to a freind, sell it, or even donate it to a library. But when you “buy” an e-book from Amazon, you’re frequently enough just licensing it, subject to Amazon’s terms and conditions.

Eliminating DRM would empower readers to use their purchased e-books on any e-reader or app,free from the constraints imposed by Amazon. It would also enhance privacy by preventing Amazon from tracking reading habits and allow for offline backups of purchased content.

For audiobook enthusiasts, the appeal is similar. Many users prefer choice audiobook players like Bound or Prologue. These apps often offer superior library management and playback features compared to Audible’s offerings. However, DRM currently locks users into the Audible ecosystem.

What Amazon’s Terms of Service Really Mean

According to Amazon’s terms of service,when you pay for an e-book,you are actually purchasing a license to use the content,not outright ownership.This distinction grants Amazon considerable control over how you access and use the e-book. The terms explicitly prohibit bypassing DRM to read books on unsupported devices or apps.

You are not in charge of how you access or read that [e-book]. It is like the difference between Spotify playlists and having a home music library.You pay money to own the [e-book],but because Amazon owns everything about the delivery pipeline and the Kindle necessary to read the purchase,you don’t get to exert any choice.

Janet Vertesi, sociology professor at Princeton University

This issue isn’t unique to Amazon. As Janet Vertesi, a sociology professor at Princeton University, explains, purchasing through major tech companies doesn’t grant true ownership. It’s a licensing agreement that dictates how you can access and use the content.

Audible operates similarly, classifying a sale as the purchase of a license. They also advise users to download audiobooks promptly after purchase, as future availability isn’t guaranteed. Bypassing DRM on audiobook files is also prohibited.

the more we buy into these closed garden ecosystems, the fewer choices we have…they can and do use this power to subdue alternatives, eliminate competition, and maintain monopoly, among other things.

Janet Vertesi, sociology professor at Princeton University

Vertesi, who runs the Opt Out Project, emphasizes the importance of exploring alternatives to big tech products and services to maintain consumer choice and prevent monopolies.

The Legal Gray Area of Bypassing DRM

Calibre is a popular, open-source e-book management tool that allows users to convert e-books into various formats and manage their digital libraries.While Calibre itself doesn’t remove DRM, it can be used in conjunction with plugins to bypass these restrictions, allowing users to read their purchased e-books on any device.

For Audible users,Libation offers a free and open-source solution for backing up audiobook libraries.This allows users to safeguard their purchases and perhaps use them on alternative audiobook players.

…what apps like Libation do is a service to the community that I believe in.It’s also in [direct] contradiction to Audible’s terms of service…

Robert McRackan, developer of Libation

However, the use of such tools exists in a legal gray area. While individuals may argue they have a right to access and use content they have purchased, bypassing DRM is frequently enough a violation of copyright laws, specifically the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the United States. The DMCA prohibits circumventing technological measures designed to protect copyrighted works.

These tools remain available as developers dedicate time to maintaining them,and companies like Amazon haven’t aggressively pursued legal action. However, the future of these apps remains uncertain.

Beyond Amazon: Exploring DRM-Free Alternatives

If you’re committed to owning your digital media,consider exploring alternatives to Amazon. Several platforms offer DRM-free e-books and audiobooks.

While Libro.fm offers a robust DRM-free audiobook collection, challenges remain. Even reputable e-book stores like Bookshop.org face pressure from major publishers to implement DRM on most titles.

Audible also incentivizes authors to offer exclusive content on its platform through higher royalty rates, limiting consumer choice.

If your favorite book is exclusive to Audible, consider purchasing a DRM-free e-book and using text-to-speech tools as an alternative, even though the quality may not match that of a professional narrator. you can also explore borrowing Amazon-exclusive e-books from your local library, or simply purchase a physical copy.

The Need for Legislative Change

What we really need to do is get rid of DMCA 1201, that law that makes it a crime to format shift your media…it’s the same law that stops farmers from fixing their tractors, blocks independent mechanics from fixing your car, stops rivals from setting up alternative app stores for phones and games consoles…this law is a menace!

Cory Doctorow

Ultimately, achieving lasting change in the digital ownership landscape requires legislative reform. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), specifically Section 1201, has been criticized for hindering fair use and restricting consumer rights.

As Cory Doctorow argues, DMCA 1201 not onyl affects e-books and audiobooks but also has broader implications, impacting the right to repair for farmers and car owners, and stifling competition in the tech industry. Repealing or amending DMCA 1201 would be a significant step toward empowering consumers and fostering a more open and equitable digital marketplace. This issue echoes similar “right to repair” debates happening across the U.S., highlighting a growing demand for greater control over purchased goods.