Sony chooses open ePub e-book format

Sony has opted for ePub, an open format, both for its own catalogue of books and its own e-book reader, which will now be compatible with content from other providers, including Sony's competitors.

The format, recognised by the International Digital Publishing Forum, allows readers to download books directly to their e-book reader from several platforms.  This means that, ''customers will no longer have to worry about which books work with which readers,'' suggested Sony.  The aim is very clear: give customers more choice by rallying round a single standard for e-books.  All of the books available this way will still be protected by Adobe DRM.

This is a very different situation to e-books downloaded from Amazon, which can only be read on its own Kindle device, or using a special app for the iPhone or the iPod Touch.  Strange as it may seem, though, the IPDF, which is pushing the open ePub standard includes leading booksellers like Barnes & Noble ... and Amazon!

By choosing ePub, Sony is probably seeking to ratchet up the tension on its direct competitor, which still leads it in terms of sales.

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