Sony will abandon its proprietary software for electronic Sony Reader and convert to the open ePub format by the end of the year.
“Adopting an industry-standard format and Adobe® Content Server 4 (ACS4), a popular, cross platform server software solution that copy protects downloadable eBooks, allows Sony to make its eBook store compatible with multiple devices and its Reader devices open to multiple sources for content. Our intention is to lead by example,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division. “A world of proprietary formats and DRMs creates silos and limits overall market growth,” Haber continued. “Consumers should not have to worry about which device works with which store. With a common format and common content protection solution (DRM), they will be able to shop around for the content they want regardless of where they get it or what device they use.”
The ePub format was developed by more than 60 companies and organizations and has received the support of the International Digital Publishing Forum.
