OpenReader.Org is an interesting attempt to create a single format for e-books, as opposed to the couple dozen formats that are out there now, with Microsoft’s LIT and Adobe’s PDF formats way out in front of everyone else (Palm READER and Mobipocket’s secure format also have significant marketshare).
The OpenReader format is going to be XML-based, and unfortunately (though of necessity), they will have some way for publishers to wrap the resulting file in DRM,
Q. Will the OpenReader format work with digital rights management — anti-piracy protection?
If publishers insist on DRM, the ideal solution would be to use a standardized DRM solution — preferably owned by no one company. In other words, it would be “nonproprietary.” If you make DRM nonproprietary, however, it is somewhat easier to crack.
Two possible answers exist. One would be to allow publishers to pick their own DRM systems and allow reading software to support multiple systems. A second approach might be to standardize on one DRM system developed by some company who has agreed to make their system available at low cost. Right now, as much as 10 or 15 percent of an e-bookÂ’s price at times may go for DRM-related services. We think this is far too much, especially in a generally low-margin industry like book publishing. OSoft is interested in selling its DRM to publishers at a low price that shouldnÂ’t wreak havoc on their margins, the way present alternatives do on occasion.
It will be interesting to see how far this goes. My own perception is that so few publishers actually seem to care about the electronic book market — due to its relatively small size — that this won’t end up going anywhere. The ebook market is one where good ideas rarely get implemented.
I’d love to be proven wrong on that count, however.