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While we're here, Dragonmount is a DRM-free ebook store for certain authors published by TOR: https://dragonmount.com/store/ https://dragonmount.com/store/ But

While we're here, Dragonmount is a DRM-free ebook store for certain authors published by TOR: https://dragonmount.com/store/ https://dragonmount.com/store/ But the vast majority of traditionally published books are not available (legally) DRM-free.

neilv 4y ago
Perhaps they're not legally DRM-free because not enough people are voting with their pocketbooks, and paying for DRM-free. (Voting with a prybar is not the same.)
cstross 4y ago
This is a corporate policy issue. 80% of commercial trade book publishing in the US/UK/EU is dominated by five multinationals, the "Big Five" -- Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan, Hachette, and HarperCollins. Corporate policy at all of these companies except Macmillan absolutely requires DRM on digital products, no exceptions permitted. This policy comes from boardroom level and trickles down to contaminate every department. Remember, most of these companies are in turn subsidiaries of organizations with interests in other media: news, TV, film, and so on. DRM infected them decades ago and any attempt to change direction on it would be an admission of policy failure, which is the kiss of death to an executive career.) Macmillan, the smallest -- and the English language arm of German conglomerate Holtzbrinck -- is privately owned, so not vulnerable to activist shareholders: they listened to their authors and publishers several years back and a number of their imprints publish DRM-free. Other than that, many small/indie publishers gave up on DRM years ago. But they may not have what you want ...
- vmilner 4y ago
  I’m now puzzled as to how I’ve managed to buy Simon and Schuster audiobooks in mp3 form without DRM from audiobookstore.com.
goosedragons 4y ago
Baen also sells their books DRM free and have been doing so for like 20+ years! I think they were one of the first to even sell eBooks. Also sci-fi/fantasy geared.

neilv 4y ago

Perhaps they're not legally DRM-free because not enough people are voting with their pocketbooks, and paying for DRM-free. (Voting with a prybar is not the same.)

cstross 4y ago

This is a corporate policy issue. 80% of commercial trade book publishing in the US/UK/EU is dominated by five multinationals, the "Big Five" -- Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan, Hachette, and HarperCollins. Corporate policy at all of these companies except Macmillan absolutely requires DRM on digital products, no exceptions permitted. This policy comes from boardroom level and trickles down to contaminate every department. Remember, most of these companies are in turn subsidiaries of organizations with interests in other media: news, TV, film, and so on. DRM infected them decades ago and any attempt to change direction on it would be an admission of policy failure, which is the kiss of death to an executive career.) Macmillan, the smallest -- and the English language arm of German conglomerate Holtzbrinck -- is privately owned, so not vulnerable to activist shareholders: they listened to their authors and publishers several years back and a number of their imprints publish DRM-free. Other than that, many small/indie publishers gave up on DRM years ago. But they may not have what you want ...

vmilner 4y ago
I’m now puzzled as to how I’ve managed to buy Simon and Schuster audiobooks in mp3 form without DRM from audiobookstore.com.

goosedragons 4y ago

Baen also sells their books DRM free and have been doing so for like 20+ years! I think they were one of the first to even sell eBooks. Also sci-fi/fantasy geared.