Do the publishers predatory licensing fees for libraries make this more ethical?
Yes. Fuck the publishers for trying to close down libraries with extortionate fees.
A community for the discussion of topics surrounding DRM, Digital Rights Management.
All media that DRM can be applied on can be discussed here, for example books, movies, music or games.
Digital rights management (DRM) is the management of legal access to digital content. Various tools or technological protection measures, such as access control technologies, can restrict the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM technologies govern the use, modification and distribution of copyrighted works (e.g. software, multimedia content) and of systems that enforce these policies within devices. DRM technologies include licensing agreements and encryption.
Guides and useful tools
Quick and dirty way to rip an eBook from Android
2025 Guide for freeing books from Amazon (after D&T was removed)
Guide to Removing DRM From Amazon Kindle E-Books
Liberate your Kindle books before leaving Amazon (Tutorial)
How to setup Calibre to remove DRM from ebooks on Linux/Archive mirror
Guide on removing DRM from Kobo & Kindle eBooks (reddit mirror, Archive link)
Extracting content from an LCP "protected" ePub
DeDRM tools for eBooks: a plugin for Calibre for removing Adobe DRM, Obok etc.
Miscellaneous links
DRM - Frequently Asked Questions by DefectiveByDesign
Guide to DRM-Free Living by DefectiveByDesign
Do the publishers predatory licensing fees for libraries make this more ethical?
Yes. Fuck the publishers for trying to close down libraries with extortionate fees.
I don't De-DRM borrowed ebooks as I don't own them (I borrow the book I don't buy it, it's a renting contract between myself and the library and the publisher, I want to respect it). I do remove DRM from books I purchased because like with a printed book I expect to fully own what I purchase. At least I did so, since I quit entirely purchasing DRMed ebooks. If I need more time to read a borrowed ebook, I can add extra time to my renting of it.
My opinion is that by not respecting the contract we do no harm to the publishers but we put the very existence of ebook rental at risk, maybe even of public libraries.
Interesting argument! While I have no qualms DeDRMing bought books, I do feel a bit more bad about trying to DeDRM lent books.
That's what I said (maybe failed to make it clear?): I play by the rules and don't De-DRM rented books ;)
Yes, sorry, I got your point and I'm leaning towards your side of the argument. I think I was the one being unclear.
Think of it like this: if I had perfect memory of everything I've ever read, would that be DRM infringement?
No? So DRM on books is inherently ableist, right?
Don't give them any ideas. With Neuralink they'll enforce DRM on our memories.
I think I might literally prefer death over getting one of those chips
You may one day, you or your children, not have a choice.
There's always a choice, and for my money the most important one is deciding to believe it is so.
There’s always a choice,
Really? Lucky for you then. There are plenty things II must do whether I like them or not. And things happening to me whether I want them to or not.
I did not say we get to choose what our options are, only that there are always options to be chosen.
I believe that the first thing evil men must do to make us do evil is to convince us we have no choice.
But you do. And those choices are who you will have been, when it's all over.
Honestly, the author isn’t getting that money. Publishers are using pricing schemes that are intentionally meant to punish libraries. Do two wrongs make a right? Idk. But there is a strong case for anti-capitalism and the freedom to read should be the highest ethical concern.