Adobe Digital Editions problem with downloaded eBook

[andreiashu]

I've bought other ePub (no-DRMed) books from Lulu and I had a great experience so far. Thanks for that.

Last week I downloaded the Deja Vu ebook which was only availabe in Adobe's DRM ePub format.

After installing ADE on my work computer I wanted to just browse the book so I didn't authenticate immediately. During the weekend I wanted to read the book from my home computer so I downloaded the eBook on my home computer. I also authenticated ADE on this home computer. After downloading the ebook I got this error from ADE: "Error getting license License server communication problem: E_LIC_ALREADY_FULFILLED_BY_ANOTHER_USER"

Ok, so this morning I thought of authenticating my work computer with ADE so that when I get home I will be able to get this book on my home computer. Surprise: I'm now getting the same error on my work computer.

This just rendered my purchase obsolete: I can't read the book anywhere!?!

Any suggestions?

[Ken Anderson]

To the best of my knowledge you can only read a DRM product on the computer you purchased it on. A good reason not to DRM books.

[andreiashu]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for your answer. I can't read that book even on the computer where I initially downloaded it to (the work computer)...

I agree with you: while the intention of a DRM version ebook is well intented (ani-piracy etc.) for me it seems it is causing a lot of problems...

[Ken Anderson]

You could contact Support - but for $5 is it worth the hassle?

Or contact the author by PM and ask for a DRM free copy. He is an Englishman and should hopefully oblige  

[kevinlomas]

I wonder what happened to the EU courts directive that ruled that not allowing people to put such things on to any device they own is an unfair practice and now illegal?
Some such things do not even seem to download the file, but just a link to the souce on line with an inbuilt code that says you can open it.

[Maggie]

Andre, have you tried reading it on another e-reader? Calibre may work.

[ErinW · Accepted solution]

Hi andreiashu,

We recommend contacting Lulu Support for help with eBook downloads; an agent can assist you with the "License already fulfilled" error:

www.lulu.com/support

Thank you!

[andreiashu]

Thank you everyone for your quick answers.

@ken: I think is not only about the money here but I wanted to point the hassle that I have to go through with the ADE version versus the plain ePub version. I reckon I am not the only person that has to go through this as well.

@maggie: I use calibre as well but this time it won't help as I don't even get access to the eBook itself. See @kevinlomas message.

@kevinlomas: agreed. I'll try and avoid, if possible, DRMed ebooks from now on.

@ErinW: thanks, I'll do that.

[Ken Anderson]

I have been highlighting this for months now. Unfortunately some people don't bother to take the time to read and understand the limitations of DRM & ADE even though the information is plain to find.

[kevinlomas]

I assume by limitations you mean trying to stop people copying and reproducing our books and then giving them away to 100s of people who then do the same?
Books are not like music where we can make up a short fall in sales by charging £90 a seat to see us perform live, or a royality when ever we are played on the TV or radio :-)