AppleInsider Staff
Popular iOS comic book app comiXology on Thursday sent out emails to existing customers, notifying them of a new DRM-free backup download service for content from certain publishers.
According to the message from comiXology, select comics from Image, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent and Top Shelf Productions are now available to download without digital rights management restrictions.
In addition, comiXology Submit artists can opt-in to the service if they so choose. The list of publications supporting the feature is expected to grow, with "many more" said to be jumping on the DRM-free bandwagon in the future.
As noted on the comiXology's frequently asked questions webpage for the new program, also launched on Thursday, customers who have already purchased digital copies of now DRM-free books can download a copy as a PDF or CBZ file. Users will see a list of books that support DRM-free backup on comiXology.com in the My Backups tab of the My Books area.
An obvious drawback to the download service is that both PDF and CBZ files cannot be used in comiXology's Comics app, meaning the company's proprietary "Guided View" reader tech is also unavailable.
Shortly after being acquired by Amazon in April, comiXology pushed out a new version of its iOS app, stripping it of in-app purchasing capabilities. The apparent play to skirt Apple's App Store fees forced users to buy comics through the company's Web portal, a method used by Amazon in its Kindle app. Apple normally takes a 30-percent cut of all app sales, including in-app purchases.
Charles Martin
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Malcolm Owen
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Christine McKee
3 Comments
I use Amazon all the time. Doesn't mean I don;t hate them. :)
Comixology didn't have much of a choice.
My major apprehension regarding digital comics was that we didn't own a copy of the file that could be backed up or whatever, like an MP3 file for music.
This is now addressed - at least partially, till DC and Marvel allow for it as well.
I'm not sure if it is a coincidence, but Apple is promoting 'Madefire' as an Editors' Pick. One of the things Madefire is publicising is that it allows for in-app purchase of books.
They are trying to take Comixology's subscribers and it looks like Apple is helping them indirectly!
Apple recently featured comic apps in the UK App Store. Out of the twenty or so apps featured, Comixology wasn't one of them, which seems like a pointed omission. The app has had a one star rating from hundreds of reviewers since in-app purchases were removed, although the latest update only has a handful of one star reviews (though nothing better), suggesting that many users have abandoned ship.
Good for Apple.