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Borrowing e-books in the EU just became a lot more complicated as libraries move to closed ecosystems (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Apparently many libraries, including the ones in my country, are moving over to a system where you're not allowed to digitally download the epub file anymore. You're only allowed to borrow the book, and read it, in a closed ecosystem: an app. This per definition then excludes the majority of e-ink readers that don't run Android. This is due to Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (Text with EEA relevance) (source) entering into force June 28 this year.

As the Adobe DRM solution hasn't been updated for years, it isn't capable of fulfilling all the requirements that this law lays out without endangering the DRM solution. Text-to-speech is one function that isn't fully supported by Adobe for example. This means that there are apparently two directions to go for full compliance, Readium DRM which is barely supported as well or a closed app ecosystem.

This is frustrating on so many levels, especially if I would like to borrow an ebook in my native language that isn't available elsewhere on the web, which is often the situation for books in my language (and I'm guessing most languages outside of English). The alternatives left is borrowing a physical copy, or buying it.

The enshittification of everything continues...

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[–] kambusha 18 points 5 days ago (3 children)

I don't think this is a case of trying to make more money. From what I understood, it's an unintended consequence of accessibility rules coming into place. Ironically, a law that is meant to promote inclusion, will ultimately make the books less accessible.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 5 days ago

I don't think this is a case of trying to make more money.

Sure it is: the only reason for DRM is to make more money.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

From what I understood, it's an unintended consequence of accessibility rules coming into place.

It’s a fully intended consequence of DRM refusing to adapt to said accessibility rules. Closed ecosystems make DRM easier, which was always the goal for publishers.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Exactly this.