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Changes to e-books on Amazon KDP

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

If you self-publish your e-books using Amazon KDP, you may have received a notification from them explaining that the policy on Digital Rights Management (DRM) is changing. Here’s a quick summary of what’s happening and how it affects you as an author.


What is DRM?

DRM on Kindle is a protective technology that restricts how readers can access, copy, or share your e‑book. If you enable DRM when publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), your book can only be read on Kindle devices and apps, and readers cannot freely transfer or back up the file outside Amazon’s ecosystem.


What DRM Does

  • Limits access: Readers can only open the book on Kindle devices or apps linked to their Amazon account.

  • Prevents copying: DRM blocks straightforward copying, printing, or converting the file into other formats.

  • Controls sharing: Readers cannot email the file or upload it to other platforms; they can only lend it through Amazon’s approved systems (like Kindle Family Library or limited lending).

  • Protects royalties: The idea is to reduce piracy and ensure authors/publishers are paid for each copy.


DRM-Free Option

When you publish on KDP, you can choose not to apply DRM. If you go DRM‑free:

  • Readers can download and convert the book into other formats (like EPUB or PDF).

  • Starting January 20, 2026, Amazon will allow verified purchasers of DRM‑free Kindle books to download them directly in EPUB or PDF formats, making them usable on non‑Kindle devices.

  • Your royalty rates remain the same whether you choose DRM or not.


Pros and Cons for Authors


Pros of DRM:

  • Helps prevent casual piracy.

  • Keeps your book tightly within Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem.


Cons of DRM:

  • Limits legitimate readers who want flexibility (e.g., reading on Kobo or other e‑readers).

  • Can frustrate buyers who expect to “own” the book and use it freely.

  • Some argue DRM doesn’t stop determined pirates but inconveniences paying customers.


Summary

Digital Rights Management on Kindle is essentially a lock you can apply to your e‑book. It restricts copying and sharing, keeping the book tied to Kindle apps and devices. Authors can choose to publish with or without DRM, and from 2026, DRM‑free books will be more portable across platforms.


This is something you should not ignore because if you do not consider what options are best for you, KDP  may place restrictions on your books that you don’t want. The wording of the email from KDP reads:


“If you take no action, the DRM-status of your previously published titles will not change but the EPUB and PDF downloads will not be enabled for existing DRM-free titles. If you want to allow reader downloads for these titles, follow the directions below on or after December 9, and select the option not to apply DRM.”


What do I need to do?

Here’s the KDP guidance on how to change the DRM status of your eBook at any time:


  1. Log in to the KDP author portal and navigate to the "Kindle eBook Content" page

  2. In the "Manuscript" section, review the "Digital Rights Management (DRM)" selection to see your book's current DRM status.

  3. If you want to make your book available DRM-free and allow readers to download it as an EPUB or PDF:

    • Select "No, do not apply Digital Rights Management"

    • Then check the box that confirms: "I understand that by not applying DRM, customers who buy and have already bought this book will be able to download it as a PDF or EPUB file. My DRM selection applies to all previous and future purchases of this book."

  4. If you do not want your book to be available DRM-free and you want to prevent readers from downloading it as an EPUB or PDF:

    • Select "Yes, apply Digital Rights Management"

  5. Select "Save and Continue". This takes you to the Pricing Page

  6. Select "Publish Your Kindle eBook" at the bottom of the Pricing page. Changes may take up to 72 hours to be live on Amazon.


Ultimately, the choice is yours and you can allow distribution of your book in whichever way you choose. The table below provides a summary of the key points to help you choose what’s best for you.



This new rule takes effect on January 20, 2026, so add it to your to-do list and review it soon.


If you have found this blog post useful, then please help other authors by giving it a like, and feel free to share or add a comment. Thank you.


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