If a DRM provider goes out of business or shuts down its servers, readers can lose access to books they rightfully paid for. Alternative Solutions and the Path Forward
Services like Kindle Unlimited and library apps like Libby offer legal, low-cost, or free access to massive catalogs. When digital books are easy and affordable to access legally, piracy rates naturally decline.
Some publishers are moving toward inserting invisible digital watermarks into EPUB files. This identifies the original purchaser if the file is shared online, acting as a deterrent without restricting the user's ability to read the file on multiple devices.
Many authors are bypassing traditional retail structures entirely by utilizing platforms like Patreon or Kickstarter, allowing readers to fund the creation of the book directly.