Google's Ebook Store To Use Failed DRM Strategy

from the really,-Google? dept

Tue, Mar 3rd 2009 12:25pm — Mike Masnick

I've already expressed my concerns with the legal issues surrounding Google's book scanning settlement with various publishers and authors, but the news keeps getting worse. One of the few "good things" that many people pointed to in the settlement was that it would create something of a new "Ebook store" where you could purchase the digital versions of books. Except... not so much. Michael Scott points us to the news that you won't actually be able to purchase the books from that "bookstore." Instead, you'll only get to download a little bit at a time. You never get the full book at once, but bits and pieces -- while the rest remains on Google's servers. Thus... should Google ever change the program, you would lose access to what you had "bought." And, this isn't just an academic suggestion. Just three years ago, when Google launched its video hosting service, it included a similar DRM, which it ended up discontinuing. So, the legal details are troubling, and the technical details are troubling. What's actually good about Google's book agreement again?

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: drm, ebooks
Companies: google

19 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2009 @ 12:32pm

What's good about the agreement??? That would be nothing.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
:Lobo Santo, 3 Mar 2009 @ 12:35pm

Name a DRM...
Name a DRM which has never been defeated; and I'll name one which was just created.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2009 @ 12:36pm

Angry Dude?
Hey man, how come we haven't heard from your one-balled code-writing person??
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2009 @ 1:19pm

Re: Angry Dude?
One-balled code-writing person? You mean Angry Dude?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2009 @ 1:23pm

Re: Angry Dude?
He's busy starting his acting career, being Phistophicles.

http://www.phistophicles.com/
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Stuart, 3 Mar 2009 @ 1:35pm

Seems true ...
but I just can't ever really trust anything Mike writes. Its either true cause it proves his world view or twisted because the truth dose not prove his world view. 50/50
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mike (profile), 3 Mar 2009 @ 1:44pm

Re: Seems true ...
but I just can't ever really trust anything Mike writes. Its either true cause it proves his world view or twisted because the truth dose not prove his world view. 50/50

This is a conversation. I link to the source materials, so you are free to go read through all the details you like -- and then I state my opinion. If you think I got something wrong, I'd appreciate you telling me. But no one is saying that you have to believe my opinion. If you disagree with me, I expect you to say so. That's how the conversation works.

I can't respond to accusations claiming I twist stuff around when you don't provide an example.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Grab, 3 Mar 2009 @ 1:48pm

Mike twists things around
I saw him using a twist-tie to reclose a loaf of bread! I am 99% sure he did the same with a package of hamburger buns last week.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2009 @ 2:16pm

Google DRM
I would of never expected google to use DRM. Lost some respect for them
[ link to this | view in thread ]
some old guy, 3 Mar 2009 @ 2:33pm

Re: Seems true ...
but I just can't ever really trust anything Mike writes. Its either true cause it proves his world view or twisted because the truth dose not prove his world view. 50/50

You seem to say that alot. Are you capable of saying anything else?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
zcat, 3 Mar 2009 @ 3:16pm

expect?
I would expect google to do whatever is best for their bottom line. "Don't be evil" only goes so far. RMS has the best advice here; never buy DRM-restricted media unless you already know how to circumvent it. And always choose the same content on non-restricted media if you're given the option
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Barg, 3 Mar 2009 @ 4:58pm

Re: Mike twists things around
Twist-ties for bread? How 1920s. Someone, please get Mike a Traco SS-18DS Deluxe Super Sealer Shrink Wrap Machine System W/Heat Gun.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Old Geezer, 3 Mar 2009 @ 6:36pm

Print is always better
So, what exactly are you paying for and how much would it cost compared to the same material in print? In order to be feasible, the electronic version needs to be greatly discounted due to the reduced value.

I like having the book on a shelf, it's there when I need it. I can correct errors and make notes in it and if I do not need it anymore, I can sell it.

The whole electronic book thing seems a bit like a product in search of a market - and here's the scary part, when the market does not magically appear they will try to shove it down your throat.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 3 Mar 2009 @ 7:02pm

Need a New Motto
Like I said before, Google need a new motto. Instead of “Don’t Be Evil”, it should be “Don’t Be Bloody Stupid”.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Trevlac, 3 Mar 2009 @ 7:28pm

Re: Print is always better
Out of everything I've read in this conversation so far nothing made me rage harder that seeing that you write in books.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Nick (profile), 4 Mar 2009 @ 12:01am

The other parts of this program that are alarming are that the settlement grants Google the exclusive rights to sell access to orphaned works in this ebook format and that these terms were negotiated in secrecy. You can check out my post here.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Killer_Tofu (profile), 4 Mar 2009 @ 7:18am

Re: Google DRM
I have been losing respect for them a lot over the last half year to year.
They keep making lots of decisions these days that do not represent the public's interest.
They are starting to fall in line with Microsoft in bending over and taking it in the rear from the copyright folks.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Tom, 4 Mar 2009 @ 8:38am

Who needs google books
Who needs google books anyway? Check out this cool site that has recentlyh gone up. It is in the works (beta), but offer a great alternative to google!!! I found that it works best with firefox. http://www.kirtasbooks.com
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Free Ebooks, 15 Apr 2009 @ 7:18pm

It's really too bad. I expected more of Google. Should I sell my stocks?
[ link to this | view in thread ]