What are the differences between a Digital Rights Management Free (DRM-Free) and Digital Rights Management Protected (DRM-Protected) eBook?

Answer

Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to the use of technology to control and manage access to digital content. DRM is used to protect intellectual property of digital content producers according to relevant copyright laws, by limiting the way that the content can be copied, shared or used. Digital content can refer to digital media such as music, videos, e-Books and software. 

The eBooks available in our eBook databases are a combination of DRM-Protected and DRM-Free.

DRM-Free eBooks

DRM-Protected eBooks

Use

Allows users to freely access, copy, share and use, with no technical restrictions. Subject to copyright laws, if applicable.  

Restricts users from copying and distributing content and limits the number of printed pages.

Hardware and software

Allows users to use a variety of readers or devices to read eBooks without restrictions.

Requires users to use specific software to read the eBook and may limit the downloads to a limited number of devices.

Loan periods

No loan period

A loan period applies, after which the items will be removed (e.g. after 1 week).

  • Last Updated Nov 03, 2025
  • Views 7
  • Answered By Shalyn Chin

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