What is ePub?
EPUB is an electronic book format that has become the industry standard, allowing eBooks that use this format to be read on a wide variety of eReaders, from dedicated hardware to desktop software to online based readers. Here are a few examples;
- Hardware
- Apple iPad
- Sony Reader (Pocket/Daily/Touch Edition and PRS-505)
- Bookeen Cybook OPUS
- Desktop Software
- Online/Web Browser Readers
- ibis Reader
- Bookworm
- EPUBReader
Technology
The EPUB format allows publishers to produce and distribute a digital publication that offers consumers interoperability between software and hardware for unencrypted reflowable digital books.
In October 2007 the OPS 2.0 was elevated to an Official IDPF Standard. The “.epub” file extension is made up of XML files for reflowable digital books and publications. EPUB is composed of three open standards, the Open Publication Structure (OPS), Open Packaging Format (OPF) and Open Container Format (OCF) all produced by the IDPF (International Digital Publishing Forum).
In actuality, the “.epub” file is just a renamed ZIP archive containing the books files, either XHTML or DTBook, and along with a number of XML description and navigation files there are sometimes image/media files.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Currently the official EPUB standard does not include any specifications for DRM, however, most EPUB distributors at this time are using the Adobe ADEPT DRM system which means that your EPUB should be readable most DRM enabled devices (excluding the Apple iPad).
