eBook DRM: Protecting Your Digital Assets

One of the biggest threats to the success of eBooks for publishers is the growing risk of eBooks piracy. As per statistics, US publishers, for instance, are losing $ 300 million in revenues annually to online eBooks. In another instance, Z library, a shadow library originating in Argentina, allowed users to download and read millions of eBooks for free. However, publishers need not be helpless in the face of these events.

The development of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) system is changing the piracy landscape and enabling publishers to protect themselves against the impact of piracy.

For instance, the cloud-based digital publishing platform KITABOO, which enables seamless creation and publishing of eBooks, also enables secure distribution. KITABOO’s in-build DRM system helps encrypt eBooks, which can be opened by authorized users only. 

This game-changing technology can shift the course for publishers and help them protect digital assets effectively. In this blog, let’s decode DRM technology for digital books, its benefits, impact, and future developments.  

Table of Contents 

I. Introduction to eBook DRM

II. Why DRM is Essential for eBook Security

• Prevents Unauthorized Content Access
• Enables Regulatory Compliance
• Helps Track eBooks Usage 
• Offers Time-controlled eBooks Access 
• Helps Protect Revenues
• Boosts ROI

III. Implementing DRM in Your eBook Strategy

IV. The Impact of DRM on Users and Publishers

• On Publishers
• On Users 

V. The Future of DRM in eBook Publishing

VI. Conclusion

DRM is a type of technology that enables publishers to manage the control and access to their digital assets and, in the process, protect them from the risks of eBooks piracy, and cybersecurity challenges. 

With the growing popularity of eBooks, they have become a treasured digital asset for publishers, authors, and media companies. A significant amount of resources are invested in the creation and publishing of eBooks.

Hence, these companies also seek to protect these assets from Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) theft as well as their revenues. Loss of revenues reduces the potential of developing a sustainable, profitable eBooks vertical or business. 

This is why DRM technology for digital books is emerging as an important tool in the technology arsenal of publishers and creators of eBooks.

DRM offers multiple advantages for eBook creators and distributors. Here’s a snapshot of 6 reasons why DRM is essential for eBook security:

DRM adoption helps publishers control who gets access to their eBooks. Users who have legitimately purchased the products can access them seamlessly. Publishers can also offer free access to users of their choice.

Not all eBooks are for public or mass consumption. Some eBooks may be produced as a limited edition for a select audience. DRM-protected eBooks enable publishers to maintain the exclusivity and confidentiality of such products.

DRM controls enable publishers to track the usage and engagement levels of their eBooks. Knowledge of these patterns provides insight into consumer patterns and interests. Publishers can shape their eBooks strategy with these valuable insights.

Unlike physical books, publishers can control how long a user has access to an eBook. For instance, they can grant lifetime access or for a fixed time frame, such as a year or month.

Time frames can be a useful feature in certain contexts. For instance, they are relevant for audiences such as students who leverage textbooks for the duration of their course.

With increased control of eBooks access, publishers can reap the benefits of higher revenues. Only those learners, readers, and users who have purchased the product can engage with the eBook.

Protection of revenues helps publishers build a sustainable eBooks business. On the other hand, eBooks without DRM protection can be downloaded for free, reproduced, and sold.

DRM protects eBooks that continue generating revenues for a long time after they are created and published. Publishers do not need to spend any additional money except on promotions. Hence, such eBooks deliver returns for an extended period.

Publishers looking to grow their eBooks vertical must consider investing in superior digital publishing software that enables the seamless creation, publishing, and distribution of interactive eBooks. 

One way to implement DRM in your eBooks strategy is to ensure that your digital publishing platform of choice provides industry-standard DRM encryption that can secure all eBooks against piracy. 

You can stay focused on the creation process and keep enhancing the engagement levels of your books while the software automates the DRM encryption process for you. For instance, KITABOO, a cloud-based AI-powered digital publishing software, comes with 128-bit encryption designed to provide superior DRM protection.

Here’s a snapshot of DRM’s impact on both stakeholders:

With protected IPR and income streams, publishers can completely focus their energies on bringing out more innovative products to keep pace with market demands. They can expedite creation and publication cycles and grow their target audiences and profits.

DRM-protected eBooks are challenging to download. This barrier prevents users from gaining illegal access, thus protecting them from participating in IPR theft, which is a criminal offense.

They will also be able to seamlessly purchase a digital product and gain authorized access as per their real-time needs.

Here’s a snapshot of the future of DRM in eBook publishing:

• Social DRM technology for digital books will enable the embedding of digital watermarks such as the name and email address of buyers of eBooks.
• Growth of cross-platform DRM standards, which enable users to access and transfer DRM-protected eBooks across devices, with strong copyright protection.
• The adoption of blockchain technology will enable a more definitive approach to verification and tracking the legitimate ownership of eBooks.
• The use of AI and ML in DRM systems enables exceptional tracking of eBooks usage and prediction of potential digital rights breaches.  
• DRM systems become continually more user-friendly, paving the way for seamless readability of eBooks.

Understanding why DRM is essential for eBook security is an important step toward building a successful eBooks business. Publishers must take adequate measures to ensure intuitive DRM encryption of their eBooks. Working with a DRM-enabled digital publishing suite is a step in this direction. 

Suppose your publishing business aims to produce high-quality digital textbooks and partner with KITABOO. Leverage our cloud-based digital publishing platform, available in both a licensed version (one-time purchase) and a flexible subscription model.

Write to us at KITABOO@hurix.com for more info!