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Amazon Ebooks Go Open: Authors Choose DRM Freedom
10 Dec
Summary
- Authors can now offer DRM-free ebooks in EPUB/PDF formats.
- New DRM options will be available starting January 20, 2026.
- Previously published titles require authors to opt-in for changes.
Beginning January 20, 2026, Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing platform will enable authors to distribute their ebooks without Digital Rights Management (DRM). This significant policy update allows for content to be shared in more open formats such as EPUB and PDF, giving readers greater flexibility in how they access purchased material.
Authors have the control to decide whether their new or previously published works will be DRM-free. For older titles, authors must log into their KDP accounts and explicitly opt into removing DRM protection. This process involves acknowledging that customers, including those who have already bought the book, will gain access to PDF or EPUB versions.
This development follows recent changes where Amazon has increased DRM usage, making it harder for users to back up or share their ebooks on newer Kindle devices. The company frames the new feature as enhancing reader convenience, though some authors express concerns about potential misuse of DRM-free files.
