Apple Clarifies iBooks Author Licensing Situation in New Software Update

following apple's release of ibooks author last month support creation of ibooks textbooks, significant controversy arose regarding software's licensing, specified output software sold via ibookstore , not other marketplace.

confusion had resulted apple's language, believing apple claiming rights content used in production of ibooks textbooks, perhaps attempting exclude books being published in other form.

apple has addressed issue releasing update ibooks author includes modified licensing agreement clarify apple claims rights .ibooks document format itself, authors being free distribute content in non-.ibooks formats wish.

1 key clarification comes in "important note" included @ beginning of license agreement. previously, note read:

quote

if charge fee book or other work generate using software (a "work"), may sell or distribute such work through apple (e.g., through ibookstore) , such distribution subject separate agreement apple.

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apple has clarified note read:

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if want charge fee work includes files in .ibooks format generated using ibooks author, may sell or distribute such work through apple, , such distribution subject separate agreement apple. restriction not apply content of such works when distributed in form not include files in .ibooks format.

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a second clarification comes in section 2b, addresses distribution of works created using ibooks author. subsection (ii) read:

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f work provided fee (including part of subscription-based product or service), may distribute work through apple , such distribution subject following limitations , conditions: (a) required enter separate written agreement apple (or apple affiliate or subsidiary) before commercial distribution of work may take place; , (b) apple may determine reason , in sole discretion not select work distribution.

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with updated terms, apple has reworded section , added bold text addressing ownership of original content:

quote

f work provided fee (including part of subscription-based product or service) , includes files in .ibooks format generated using ibooks author, work may distributed through apple, , such distribution subject separate written agreement apple (or apple affiliate or subsidiary); provided, however, restriction not apply content of work when distributed in form not include files in .ibooks format generated using ibooks author. retain rights in content of works, , may distribute such content means when not include files in .ibooks format generated ibooks author.

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ibooks author 1.0.1 updated license agreement free download mac app store, weighs in @ application's full size of 140 mb.

article link: apple clarifies ibooks author licensing situation in new software update

 

i'm glad has been clarified, didn't want see apple monopoly on kind of book format . means other vendors should able compete creating own formats.

 

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