How to Protect Ebooks from Sharing & Copying

Ebook copy protection: protect ebooks from sharing

How to stop ebook copying, sharing and theft.  Why copyright, online viewers, secure download links, and popular DRM formats are not effective ways to prevent sharing and copying online.

  Protecting ebooks

While the doomsday scenarios of ebooks eradicating paper ones haven’t panned out, the format still shifts hundreds of millions of units per year in the US market alone.  The rapidly growing industry faces a significant challenge, however — online piracy.

Unlike physical books, ebooks can be duplicated easily and infinitely with no loss in quality and no cost to the end-user.  This spells disaster for publishers and self-published authors, who can miss out on sales and royalties due to illegal copying.  This blog will discuss how to protect an ebook from sharing and copying, ebook copyright, and which digital rights management (DRM) solutions do and don’t work. We’ll cover:

1. Are ebooks protected from copyright?
2. Do ebook copyright laws stop piracy?
3. How to protect ebooks from being copied, shared, or printed
4. How to remove ebook copy protection
5. How to protect ebooks from sharing and piracy permanently
6. Why adding digital watermarks to ebooks can help stop sharing
7. Key takeaways

  Are ebooks protected from copyright?

There’s a myth among some self-published authors that distributing their work online affects its copyright.  In reality, creative works such as ebooks are granted copyright protection from the moment they’re created.  It doesn’t matter whether your material is in physical form, provided as ebook files, or stays on your personal PC — its rights are yours.

In most countries, you don’t even need to register your work with a relevant copyright authority for these protections to apply.  However, doing so does help to create a paper trail if you want to seek damages in the future.

  Do ebook copyright laws protect ebooks from piracy?

Unfortunately, having ebook copyright laws at your back won’t stop people from distributing your work without your permission. Most pirates do not care about the law and know that it is time-consuming and costly for publishers to enforce copyright in court.

While the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) allows authors and publishers to compel websites, ISPs, and search engines to remove pirated content, this doesn’t work in practice. To perform a DMCA takedown, a publisher must:

1. Regularly and accurately monitor for infringing copies across the internet
2. Draft a takedown notice
3. Find the contact details of the web host or person hosting the material
4. Request they remove the content and pass on the notice

The problem is that piracy websites will just refuse to comply and can spin up mirror sites in minutes to avoid search engine blocks.  Pirates themselves can avoid ISP blocks by just using a VPN, which many already pay for to hide their torrenting activity.

As a result, you should take reasonable steps to protect your ebook from sharing before you distribute it.

How do I protect my ebook from being shared, copied, or printed?

If the law isn’t enough to protect an ebook from sharing, what is?  In addition to registering your book with a relevant country’s copyright agency, you should consider some form of copy protection software.

Here we cover ebook copy protection systems that claim to protect ebooks from piracy using data encryption and DRM.

   Ebook DRM

There are several major ebook DRM companies that you’ve probably heard of.  Kindle, Google, Apple, and Adobe are the major players, but you may also recognize Barnes & Noble and Kobo.  All of these limit what users can do with their ebooks in one way or another and promise piracy protection in return.

Unfortunately, a non-technical user can remove all of the DRM protection systems mentioned with minimal effort.  A free ebook management tool called Calibre strips most of them with a few button presses, and Epubor can remove even more.

With Epubor, which provides a free trial for all users, it’s a single-click affair.  After clicking the link to import your Adobe Digital Editions ebook, Epubor will automatically detect it.

This is because although Digital Editions ebooks are protected, they’re still saved in the user’s documents folder.  Epubor searches the documents folder for ebooks and allows users to click “Convert to epub” or select another format from the dropdown menu to strip any DRM.

After a second or two, the encrypted book is provided to the user to do with what they want.  Remember, too, that the process is this easy for any of the major DRM providers — not just Adobe.  It could just as easily be Amazon, Google, Kobo, or others.

   DRM solutions with browser viewers

Cloud-based DRM, where users view protected ebooks in the browser, lures publishers with promises of easy distribution and strong security.

Unfortunately, whether it’s a data room solution, cloud storage provider, or enterprise offering, you cannot ignore the fatal flaw: the browser isn’t a good environment for enforcing ebook restrictions.  It simply does not have enough control over the user’s operating system.  We explain this in further detail in Google Docs Security, showing you how simple it is to remove the protection.

The weaknesses of browser-based DRM systems include:

• They don’t prevent sharing.  Users can share login credentials and ebooks are not locked use to devices.
• Restrictions that prevent copying and printing are enforced by JavaScript, which provides weak protection.  Users can edit in the browser, add a plugin to remove the security, or enter the URL for the book in an online tool that removes the protection (e.g. DocSend2PDF).
• No cloud-based DRM system effectively prevents screenshots or copy-paste.
• Users can often bypass the printing controls by changing code in the browser’s developer mode.  When printing is purposefully allowed, users can print to an unprotected PDF file.
• Download restrictions often don’t work.  With many providers it’s possible to download page images or even the entire document via developer mode.  Controls are not applied to downloaded documents, even when enabled intentionally for offline access.
• You have to upload your ebooks to somebody else’s server, which you don’t have control over and can’t verify the security of.

For these reasons, as well as the user inconvenience of an always-online solution, cloud-based DRM is not well-suited for ebook security.

   Social DRM

Social DRM solutions take a different approach to preventing sharing.  Rather than controlling whether a user can share an ebook on a technical level, they try to use deterrents in the form of identifying watermarks.

Social DRM software adds visible and invisible watermarks that identify the customer who purchased the ebook.  The logic is that they will not want to share the document with unauthorized users if the copy can be traced back to them.

However, this logic ignores several important factors:

1. As there is no attempt to prevent editing, users can remove visible watermarks and search for and delete invisible ones in the ebook’s code.  You can prevent this by not disclosing that there are invisible watermarks, but then they won’t be deterred.
2. Pirates can purchase ebooks with false information. Even if you get their information from their payment method, they can use virtual cards under a false name or stolen credentials.  As a result, it’s not a good idea to rely on watermarks as your sole security method.
3. If the customer is from a country that isn’t a signatory to copyright conventions, they probably won’t be persuaded as there are unlikely to be significant legal repercussions.
4. A lot of unauthorized sharing takes place between friends and family members.  In such a case, the customer’s name being on the ebook probably won’t have an impact.

You can read more about this in ebook social DRM & watermarking.

   PDF password protection

Protecting a PDF ebook with a password does not prevent ebook piracy.

1. The password used to restrict access can be:

• removed by a legitimate user and the unprotected book shared with others.
• cracked by a non-legitimate user to gain access.

2. Restrictions to prevent copying, editing and printing can be instantly removed using free software or websites.

We cover this in detail in How secure is Adobe encryption.

  Secure expiring download links

Secure one-time and expiring download links are easy to implement but provide little in the way of protection – they certainly don’t prevent sharing.  Once a user has downloaded your ebook they can share it with whoever they want.

Using the Prevent Direct Access plugin in WordPress to prevent PDF download.

So, while these solutions may advertise themselves as a secure way to sell your ebooks, they are anything but – they provide no more protection than setting up password protection on your website.

   Flip books

The main allure of flip books is their interactive page-turn animations and easy distribution, but many providers also advertise anti-copying and sharing features.

Unfortunately, as mentioned in Flipbook protection, these security measures are easily defeated.

Every flipbook provider we tested failed to prevent downloads.  Though they make a good show of it by allowing you to hide the download button, users can easily re-enable it by changing the website’s code.

Users can also share their account credentials or links with others to grant access.

Flipbooks are a worthwhile choice if you’re distributing marketing material, where sharing is actively encouraged, but a poor choice for ebooks.

  Android app copy protection

Some publishers attempt to stop piracy by selling ebooks exclusively on a more locked down operating system such as Android. Unfortunately, though, Android app copy protection in Google Books just uses the same DRM as Adobe Digital Editions, which as we’ve mentioned can be removed with no technical knowledge using desktop tools. Its easy to transfer books to desktop by exporting books from the Google Play website or copying from the device over USB.

Another better method is to create your own Android viewer app which restricts which system functions users have access to. However, this is a significant expense and, as Android does not allow developers full control over the system, is fallible. Though there are controls to stop screenshots, screen recording and copying often are not.

  Removing ebook copy protection

You’ve now seen how easy it is to remove DRM and other copy protection measures from solutions advertised as secure.  Though they look secure from the outside, all it really takes is a PC and a few clicks to completely remove any security.  Once the protection is stripped, the user can do whatever they like with the ebook.  They can convert it into other file formats, edit it, ignore library loan periods, or upload it to a file sharing website to share with thousands of people.

As a result, it’s vital that whatever ebook solution you use to prevent sharing cannot have its copy protection stripped. It only takes one user to remove the protection for free versions of your ebook to be a Google search away.

The short answer of how to protect an ebook from sharing, then, is to look outside of the big-name DRM providers and the not so secure browser-based solutions.  Their systems are designed more for convenient integration with their platforms and devices than any real security.  You’ll be much better served with a software solution like Locklizard, which is specifically designed to provide strong copy protection for ebooks in PDF format.

  How to protect ebooks from sharing and piracy permanently

Locklizard provides far stronger ebook copy protection than the major providers through the combination of US government strength encryption, license files, DRM controls, and a secure viewer application.

We also provide a wider range of DRM controls than the typical solutions, letting ebook Publishers utilize the following features:

• Protects ebooks from sharing:  ebooks are locked to authorized users’ devices so they cannot be shared with others.
• Copy protection:  prevent copying and pasting, screenshots, and other forms of duplication.
• Print blocking:  purchasing a digital version of a book doesn’t necessarily entitle the user to a physical copy.  You can disable printing so users can’t simply print out your ebook and share it with others.
• Dynamic watermarks:  if you want to allow printing, you can have user identifiable information displayed when the ebook is printed to discourage sharing of printouts.
• Offline use:  when users purchase an ebook, they expect to be able to read it wherever they like.  You can allow permanent offline use while still maintaining all protection functionality.
• Location locking:  often, a publisher wants to make sure an ebook can’t be viewed in a country it wasn’t published in.  You have the option to lock your ebook to specific countries and locations to ensure this remains the case.
• Expiry:  if you want to provide access to an ebook for a limited amount of time for less cost, you can make it expire on a set date or after a number of days, views or prints.
• Revoking access:  should a chargeback be made, you can instantly revoke access to your ebooks on an individual user basis.
• Secure ebook distribution:  Locklizard protected ebooks cannot be opened or converted in Epubor or other DRM removal tools so you can upload them to your web site or distribute them just like any other file.  Regardless of who downloads them, only authorized users will be able to open and view them.

These features and controls allow ebook publishers to effectively protect their content from copyright infringement and prevent sharing and piracy in a wide variety of circumstances.  By following the steps below, you can ensure that your ebook is protected from unauthorized copying and sharing.

   How to protect your ebook from copying & sharing

Here’s how to create a DRM protected ebook (PDF) with Locklizard to prevent it from being copied and shared.

1. Right-click on an ebook on your computer and select ‘Make Secure PDF’.  This action will initiate the process of applying copy protection controls to your ebook.
   

   Creating a DRM protected ebook

2. Select the copy protection controls you want to apply.In particular, publishers will want to look at disabling printing (the default) and potentially limiting the amount of time a customer can view an ebook before it expires.  Note that copying, editing, and screen grabbing content is automatically prevented without you having to select any options.  This ensures that your eBook remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized users.
   

   Adding DRM controls to an ebook using Locklizard Safeguard PDF DRM

3. Apply any relevant expiry and validity controls.

   Libraries wanting to enforce controlled digital lending, for example, will want to make their ebooks expire after the loan period finishes.  You should also choose your method to verify the user still has access to the ebook – whether a check is run each time the ebook is opened, every x days, or only when an Internet connection is available.  This is something you’ll want to consider carefully, as users expect access to their ebook indefinitely and may not always be online.  By always forcing verification, however, you can instantly revoke access if required.

4. Press the Publish button to protect your ebook.

   It will take a few seconds to protect the ebook, after which the encrypted ebook will be saved to your chosen destination.  You can optionally choose to protect it for viewing online in a secure web viewer (so you don’t have to distribute it manually), or protect to USB (allowing users to access the eBook from a USB stick without the need for a separate viewer installation).

5. Select the users you want to give access to your protected ebooks using the cloud-based Admin System:
   

   Safeguard Admin System

6. Distribute your DRM protected ebook just like any other file – upload it to your website, email it, etc.  It does not matter who downloads it since the ebook is encrypted and can only be opened by authorized users.
7. As long as the customer has the Locklizard secure viewer application installed and their license file activated, they’ll be able to access the protected ebook.  Of course, you can add any additional customers as you get them.  If you’re processing large volumes of customers and ebooks, you can additionally use our ecommerce API to automate the process.

By following these steps and utilizing the copy protection features appropriately, you can protect your eBook from sharing and copying and safeguard your intellectual property rights.  This will ensure that the hard work, dedication, and resources invested in creating the eBook are properly protected from piracy and copyright infringement.

  How can adding digital watermarks to ebooks prevent sharing?

How to protect from copyright infringement on Amazon using watermarks

Combined with copy protection measures to prevent removal, adding digital watermarks to ebooks can help prevent sharing and improve security in several ways:

1. By incorporating a watermark into an eBook, it becomes significantly more challenging for someone to claim authorship or ownership of the work falsely.  Plastering your company name or other identifying information across the content acts as a deterrent, discouraging individuals from attempting to take credit for your content.
2. Digital watermarks can help combat copyright infringement on the internet.  Watermarks that are designed to be resistant to removal or alteration ensure the integrity and originality of the content.
3. Dynamic watermarks that display user information such as a person’s name and email address discourage sharing of content since the originator of copies is easily identified.  If an eBook is unlawfully copied (screen or printed copies), digital watermarks persistently travel with the unauthorized copies, maintaining their presence wherever they may be distributed.  This functionality facilitates the identification of copyright infringements, enabling the original creators to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible.

In summary, the addition of digital watermarks to eBooks that cannot be easily removed, provides a valuable means of improving security and preventing sharing and copying.  It defends against false authorship claims, acts as a deterrent against copyright infringement, and allows for the identification of unauthorized copies, ultimately safeguarding the rights and content of ebook creators.

  Key takeaways when protecting ebooks from sharing & piracy

1. Copyright and the DMCA aren’t enough to protect your ebook from piracy.  If you upload your ebook without protection, you can expect it to be pirated widely and freely as soon as it gains popularity.
2. Amazon, Google, and Barnes & Noble, etc. DRM is only good for one thing – locking non-malicious users to their platform.  Popular ebook DRMs can be removed in one-click using free cracking tools.
3. Social DRM is only effective in preventing piracy if it stops users from removing its watermarks.  Since none of the social DRM providers we analyzed attempt to do so, it is effectively useless.
4. Browser-based DRM enables easy distribution but has poor security.  Users can bypass protection, share login info, screenshot ebooks, copy and paste from them, and download unprotected copies.
5. Secure one time download links don’t make logical sense.  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that pirates will just download the ebook from your “secure” download link and upload it somewhere else.
6. Flipping books look pretty, but their browser-based controls are easy to bypass – users can download unprotected PDF copies and create offline versions.
7. PDF Password security is useless as users can share unprotected copies and instantly remove restrictions.
8. A PDF DRM solution such as Locklizard is able to effectively prevent sharing by locking use to authorized devices.  It stops copying, printing, editing, screenshots, and more and supports dynamic, irremovable watermarks.  This makes it the best way to prevent your ebooks from being copied and shared.

  What’s the best way to protect an ebook from sharing?

Publishers and authors lose millions of dollars every year to ebook piracy.  Though most use the most common DRM copy protection solutions from Adobe, Google, Apple, and Amazon, it’s clearly not working.  As we’ve demonstrated, it’s really easy to remove DRM and other copy protection from an ebook.

The best way to protect an ebook from sharing, therefore, is to use a dedicated security solution.

By converting your ebooks to the most popular document format, PDF, and using an ebook DRM solution like Locklizard, you ensure that it stays protected from even the most technical users.  Though purchasing a separate DRM solution isn’t for everyone, for most it will quickly outlive its value by protecting your valuable IPR and ensuring that your sales aren’t siphoned away.  It will also give you the freedom to sell your ebooks securely from your own website without incurring additional royalty fees for using someone else’s platform.

If you want to protect ebooks from sharing and copying when selling online then take a free 15 day trial of our ebook encryption software.

   FAQs

Is sharing ebooks illegal?

Yes.  Unless you are the copyright holder or the ebook falls under public domain or another exception, sharing ebooks with others is illegal.  That is, of course, unless it’s specifically allowed by the platform you purchased it from (i.e. Kindle Family Library).

Is it legal to share an ebook with a friend?

Generally, no.  When you purchase an ebook you are not buying the rights to distribute it to others – only a license for your personal use.  Unless the license specifically states otherwise or you fall under some kind of legal exemption, sharing an ebook with a friend is illegal.

While this may be frustrating to those who are used to sharing physical books with friends, the difference is simple.  When you share digital content, you are sharing a copy.  Each physical book you purchase only represents one copy, unless you photocopy it, which would also be copyright infringement.

Does social watermarking prevent ebook sharing?

No, social watermarking does not prevent ebook sharing.  It is simple to edit out the visible watermarks and remove invisible watermarks since there are no copy protection measures to stop this.  See ebook social watermarking.

Does ebook copyright prevent copying & sharing?

No.  While using a copyright notice may serve as a deterrent against unauthorized copying and illegal sharing, ebook copyright is difficult to enforce and therefore offers no real protection.

Does Amazon provide copy protection for selling ebooks online?

Amazon and other ebook publishing systems do provide copy protection for ebooks you sell online.  The problem however is that the ebook protection can be easily removed by opening the file in a program like Epubor or Calibre.  Users can also install the Calibre DeDRM plugin which automatically removes Amazon DRM when ebooks are uploaded to the Kindle desktop app, Amazon site, or a Kindle device.

Do ebook cloud solutions provide effective copy protection?

No.  Ebook cloud solutions (where ebooks are viewed online in the browser) have poor security and do not prevent sharing and copying:

1. Users can share login credentials with others.
2. Tracking is pointless because you are only tracking login credentials and not an actual user.
3. Users can bypass copy protection measures by disabling JavaScript, installing a plugin to remove security, etc.
4. They do not prevent screenshot apps or printing to PDF files.

They suffer from all the same security weaknesses as secure data rooms.

What’s the difference between an ebook and a PDF?

The PDF format can be used for ebooks, but not all PDFs are ebooks. The term “ebook” is often used to refer to publications published in a format that uses HTML has reflowable text (it will adjust to suit the screen size). The major difference with PDF files is that they have a fixed layout and better DRM solutions.

What is the best file format for ebook copy protection?

The PDF format provides the best ebook copy protection solutions.  While epub DRM solutions are available, the copy protection is simple to remove – see How to remove DRM from Epub.

Ebook DRM software like Locklizard Safeguard for example, enables you to prevent copy and paste of ebook content, add non-removable dynamic watermarks to deter photos and photocopies, prevent screenshots, disable printing, and lock ebooks to devices so they cannot be shared.

Does Locklizard enable publishers to track ebook activity?

Yes, you can track the number of times an ebook is opened and printed (if allowed).  This enables publishers to get useful insights into the popularity of their ebooks and how they are being utilized.  Since ebooks are locked to devices you get a more accurate representation of who is viewing your ebooks, compared to online or cloud-based systems that just track login credentials (which can be easily shared).