Here we explain why you will gain by using an encrypted watermark on an EPUB file instead of Digital Rights Management (DRM) .
– DRM often restricts how a user can access their purchased content. It can limit device compatibility and requires special software or signing up to accounts that users don’t want to have.
– Encrypted watermarks do not impose such restrictions. They allow users to read their books on any device the choose and any app that supports EPUB.
– DRM systems, like Adobe DRM or Amazon’s encryption, require reliance on third-party platforms. The user, or publisher can find themsleves having to pay significant license fees. There is a risk if platform can become obsolete.
– Watermarking is independent of proprietary DRM services and gives publishers direct control over their content both short term and long term.
– Encrypted watermarks embed invisible ownership information, discouraging illegal sharing while not preventing honest customers from enjoying their books freely and without intrusion.
– DRM, on the other hand, can frustrate paying users while being relatively easy for pirates to bypass.
– If a DRM provider shuts down or changes its terms and charges, it creates problems for the publisher and users may lose access to their legally purchased books.
– Watermarked files remain usable indefinitely, without requiring authentication from external servers.
– DRM limits sales to platforms that support the chosen DRM system which can be very restrictive. Watermarking allows publishers to sell EPUBs directly from their websites or through multiple vendors.
– This fosters a more open marketplace rather than locking content into a single technical ecosystem.
– DRM solutions require licensing fees and ongoing management.
– Encrypted watermarks are simpler to implement, often using straightforward techniques, without expensive DRM infrastructure.
– Watermarks with hidden buyer information (like an email, or order number or timestamp) can serve as a forensic tool if a book is pirated. The real risk for publishers is large-scale piracy and this is where the traceability of watermarks pays off.
– Knowing that a file is traceable can deter users from unauthorized sharing.
– A significant number of readers boycott DRM-locked books due to the restrictions imposed, often after a bad experience.
– Hidden, encrypted watermarking is non-intrusive and preserves usability, making the book more appealing to buyers who prefer a hassle-free experience.