Adobe Unveils E-book Updates

by Craig Morgan Teicher -- Publishers Weekly, 9/9/2008 12:01:00 AM

Today, Adobe unveiled new versions of its two major eBook content tools, Content Server 4 and Digital Edition 1.6, both of which will be released on September 22. Content Server 4 is an update of Adobe’s server software that allows publishers, retailers and libraries to sell and distribute e-books. (Content Server 3 will be discontinued upon the release of version 4.) Digital Editions 1.6 is Adobe’s client software for buying, managing and reading e-books—like iTunes for e-books—that has been updated to support the new features in Content Server 4. 

The new software will support EPUB, PDF and Adobe DRM file formats, making it compatible with a wide range of distribution channels and devices, such as the Sony Reader. It’s a distributed system, meaning some services will be handled by the consumer, while others will be handled by Adobe. The consumers’ systems will handle packaging and encryption of the content as a PDF or EPUB file, as well as determination of what kind of permissions to grant users. Adobe’s servers will handle the software’s initial activation and licensing for each book the client sells. Content Server 4 will also be set up to enable libraries and other lending institutions to create short-term licenses. 

After an initial activation fee of $6,500 Content Server 4 consumers will have to pay an annual subscription plus a small Pay-Per-Use licensing fee for each purchase made through the system.