One possible reason for the popularity of Ebooks is that they are easy to share. After receiving payment, you can choose to send them via email, or you can let your readers download a copy from your website. Either way, there are not that many controls that allow you to safeguard the Ebook’s integrity once it is in the reader’s hands. Or are there?
Ebook DRM systems provide a myriad of controls for EBook publishers that may help you secure your intellectual property rights and income stream. Here is what Ebook DRM can do for you.
Lock Your PDF EBooks to Devices
This works across all platforms, from iOS and Android to the MAC and Windows. The result is that the customer can only access a file from a chosen device that you have authorized. Through collaboration, you and your customer can agree on which device is most suitable to view the ebook before sending it. Also, as a publisher, you can decide to allow each buyer a few licenses according to the terms of your agreement so that they have more freedom to switch between their various devices. However, be careful you do not end up giving them too much freedom. After all, they might give away some of their devices to their friends.
Easy Publishing
You generally have to email customers every time you produce a new EBook. But, why would you go through such an ordeal each time you publish when some DRMsystems offer you the option to instantly push the PDF to all your subscribers just by hitting the publish button. You can grant viewing access only for a limited period before the ebook expires (unless of course it is then purchased). Publishing your newest EBook in this way will save you time and effort. However, a little bit of investment is needed when you decide to integrate the system.
Control the Usage of Your EBooks
It is common for publishers to send out snippets of EBooks so the customers can know what to expect. Butrather than take out excerpts from the book, why not just set the number of times a person can open the book. If you set it to a number that is low enough, then your customers get to enjoy the first few pages before they are completely locked out. They can as well sample from different parts of the Ebook without getting in-depth information, and this might serve better to market your product. Once they pay, they can be given unlimited access to your EBook to continue reading. Setting the number of days they have to read the book could have the same effect.
If your Ebook requires regular updates as is common with periodicals, then you can set dates beforehand to remind the reader to get the latest versions.
Decide on Online or Offline Use
If you prefer your EBooks only be read online so that you can keep a better eye on their usage, then it is entirely at your discretion to do so. However, you must ensure that your customers understand this before they buy your books to avoid bad blood. And, if you want to allow offline use, a semblance of control has to be carried forward into that situation. This will help prevent theft and piracy.
Control Printing
If the Ebooks remain in the format you sent them in, they will remain secure. However, if a user prints a copy, all may be lost since scanning the document back into an unprotected PDF file version is very easy to do.
If the terms of your agreement make it impossible for you to prevent the user from making printed copies, there are other controls you can use. Watermarking is one example. Every time the user prints your Ebook, the printed copy will visibly display the user’s name and identity details. So, users might think twice before reselling your work. After all, it would be easier to prosecute them since they can be identified. Also, it is possible to limit the number of high quality prints available.
A quality ebookDRM system like Locklizard will help you control such details with regards to the printing of your Ebooks. It would, however, be wise to let your customers know of this clause beforehand. Otherwise, you risk them not trusting you in the future which could mean a loss of potential income.
Final Thoughts
For some publishers, EBooks are a vital stream of income. To reap the full benefits of all your hard work you need to find a good ebook DRM system that prevents ebook piracy and ensures you income stream remains protected.
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