Since the ebook emerged in the early years of this century, there has been an effort, initially spearheaded by the library community, but now more widely recognized, to maintain the develop the "open source" nature of the ebook format for maximum public benefit. Originally aimed at avoiding the corporate concentration that was threatened by dominant technology players like Adobe and Amazon, open source has now become an important force in the future of the ebook.
While the subject may be regarded as peripheral for a publisher doing or contemplating e-conversion, it is important for a publisher to be aware of the following initiatives as digital formats increasingly replace print. The library market naturally embraces open source, and libraries are a primary and growing market for digital formats.
An open-source foundation dedicated to the development of software, standards and best practices for digital publications.
A rights management solution with support for different business models, including library lending and bookstore sales.
An ePub reader for Windows, Mac and Linux whih aims at becoming a reference for accessing EPUB3 publications in reflow or fixed layout format, audiobooks and visual narratives, PDF documents and DAISY 2.02 and 3 accessible ebooks, whether LCP-protected or not.
The Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) catalog format is a syndication format for electronic publications. OPDS catalogs enable the aggregation, distribution, discovery, and acquisition of electronic publications. OPDS catalogs use existing or emergent open standards and conventions, with a priority on simplicity.
EDRLab is an international, non-profit development laboratory, working on the deployment of an open, interoperable and accessible digital publishing ecosystem, worldwide.
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