Software -Password protection for ebooks

savingforoz

Hi, I've tried doing a Google search but am not really coming up with anything - I gather there is software that produces ebooks as an exe file, on which you can put password protection. When the buyer opens it, they need to email a number to you - you look up the password and send it to them. If they then copy the ebook and someone else installs it on their computer, the password won't work (the reference number is somehow generated from each individual computer to stop piracy).

Anyone know the name of such software? All help gratefully appreciated!

danmanchester

The only one I could find is eBook Edit Pro - although it costs $97 !! :eek: You can see their software here .

Not sure there's going to be a "free" way to do what you want, unless someone else knows I'd be interested too !

savingforoz

Thanks Dan!

Moneymaker

Bear in mind that an ".exe" file is not a real "eBook" since it's not cross-platform. Mac and Linux users won't be able to read it so, unless it's a book that deals with a Windows-related subject, you've immediately lost at least 10% of your market.

In any case, eBook theft is not as prevalent as you might think. Anything sold on eBay is under VERO protection and any eBook distributed by peer-to-peer networks can be killed off by flooding the network with false copies having the same file size and filename.

In addition, your eBook could carry information about other eBooks and products that you sell, and paid-for advertising by other companies, so any copies passed on will potentially earn you money anyway.

You can also take other measures (I'm not going to discuss them in public) to increase protection.

All in all, it's better to use a PDF file. This can be password protected in a limited way, if you wish, which will minimise piracy.

savingforoz

Thanks, Moneymaker, I am coming to that conclusion! {PDF seems easier and cheaper.