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DOI for eBooks: What are we identifying?

Steve MooneySophia-Antipolis, France

22 JAN 01

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DOI-EB International DOI Foundation (IDF) Determine requirements with respect to

the application of unique identifiers to eBooks

Develop proofs-of-concept for the use of DOIs with eBooks

Develop technical demonstrations, possibly including a prototype eBook registration agency/commercial implementations.

February Meeting

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What is an ebook? A misnomer A marketing term

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EBX: What is an ebook? “…a digital object that is an

electronic representation of a book. While an e-Book can consist of a single page, it is normally thought of as an electronic analog of a multi-page hardcover or paperback book. An eBook may exist in a variety of formats…”

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OeBF: What is an ebook? “…short for electronic book. 1. A

Literary Work in the form of a Digital Object, consisting of one or more standard Unique Identifiers, metadata, and a Monographic body of content, intended to be published and accessed electronically. 2. May also refer to the hardware device created for the purpose of reading eBooks (RocketBook, SoftBook, Franklin e-bookman),”

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Selling vs. Licensing Encryption Migration Taking a Portion What does it mean “to sell” an

ebook?

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Digital Rights Management

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AAP DRM Report Big Cost to AAP Points about DRM

“enables digital commerce” “protection of digital content” “secure ebook distribution” “ensures content authenticity” “participant identification”

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DRM Interoperability “the condition achieved when two or more

technical systems can exchange information directly in a way that is satisfactory to the users of the systems.”

Acknowledges that eBook interoperability is not likely for some time

Consumers who expect eBooks to provide interoperability similar to paper books (may be “unpleasantly surprised”)

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Reluctant Technology Providers? “may be reluctant to adopt a different,

standardized technology approach if this is viewed as weakening their patent protections.”

AAP is not the first to observe the effect of patents on DRM standards making efforts. MPEG EBX

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Interoperability Requirement AAP SAYS: “DRM standards will need

to enable interoperability that will drive robust market growth.

Who else set such an ambitious goal?

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EBX “…read any book, from any publisher on any

device.” “…interoperability among different EBX client

and server implementations, so that a server implemented by one vendor can authenticate a client implemented by a second vendor.”

“…critical that the distribution and transfer protocols and the format of Vouchers and Credentials be standardized to ensure interoperability….”

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What Is Interoperability? meant different things to different EBX

members at different points in time. “Most technology providers fail to see

value in the interoperability proposed by EBX. Why should a technology provider push for DRM interoperability when it could mean that other technology providers might benefit?”

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A Bridge Too Far? Was EBX’s attempt, or indeed any

attempt, to create full-fledged DRM eBook interoperability, for now at least, a bridge too far?

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A Type of Interoperability? Is there a type of interoperability that

can facilitate DRM requirements along the eBook value chain while also not threatening, or even appearing to threaten, perfectly legitimate patent rights, other intellectual property rights and corresponding commercial interests?

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Two requirements Common Rights Language Interoperability

not of DRM or of content but of metadata. <indecs>

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Interoperability DRM interoperability does not exist among

technology solutions providers. Interoperability of eBook metadata based on

DOI is a possible practical step will not “threaten any single vendor’s value

proposition.” elements of this approach are to be found within

the recommendations of the AAP eBook Report itself, namely standardized metadata and use of DOI.

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Questions for DOI-EB Why would one use an identifier? What metadata is mandatory? What entities within the entire eBook

value chain must be identified? Identifying Parties and privacy? How will DOIs fit into eBook workflow?

What are the components? May one sell pieces of an ebook? What

are the “saleable” pieces? How are they identified?

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DOI-EB Process Business Requirements Commercial aspects should be

considered. DOI-EB Technical Prototypes February Meeting Complimentary with OeBF

initiatives

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Conclusions Developing Understandings

ebook/epublication? DRM? What does is mean to sell ePublications?

Avoid DRM Overreach “unpleasantly surprised”

Metadata interoperability based on unique identification of IP entities

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Thank You