Comixology, the digital comics marketplace, announced plans to become the latest platform to offer DRM-free content. The announcement came at Comic-Con International and the program will allow Comixology customers to download and store DRM-free copies of comics they have purchased on the platform. The DRM-free backup program is available to any publisher or self-publisher that chooses to make their books available in the program.
The program is launching with a select group of publishers that includes Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions. In addition the program is launching with self-publishers who release their comics through Comixology Submit.
Comixology is the latest platform to offer DRM-free comics. Digital Rights Management software is applied to digital content to prevent piracy. However, critics of DRM contend that the software doesn’t prevent piracy and mostly prevents legal consumers from loaning or often even moving the legally purchased content to other devices. Last year Image Comics announced plans to offer its comics DRM-free.
“Our customers can keep a copy locally and continue to do their reading on Comixology in our industry-changing Guided View,” said Comixology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger.
To access the service, Comixology customers can go to the “My Books” section of Comixology.com and look for titles with a button on them indicating they are from publishers who have elected to participate in the DRM-free backup program. Books and series from publishers participating in the program will be available for downloads staring today. Backup copies will be available in “high definition” PDF and CBZ.
Comixology co-founder and director of Comixology Submit John D. Roberts said, “For those out there who have not joined the comic reading community because of DRM, you have no excuse now.”
