Next generation ‘epub’ titles to be made available to libraries and online retailers

 

Cleveland, OH – December 13, 2007 – OverDrive (www.overdrive.com), a leading digital distributor of eBooks and other media, announced today support for the new “epub” digital publication standard. Beginning in early 2008, OverDrive’s global network of libraries, schools, and retailers will be able to access eBooks and digital publications in the “epub” format through OverDrive’s digital media warehouse Content Reserve (www.contentreserve.com).

OverDrive powers download eBook, audio book, music, and video catalogs at public libraries in New York, Singapore, Boston, Toronto, and thousands of other locations worldwide. The company also provides digital download infrastructure for publishers like HarperCollins and Harlequin, delivers e-retail solutions to hundreds of college bookstores, and is a strategic partner to Microsoft, Adobe Systems, Mobipocket, and other leading technology firms.

The new “epub” standard for eBooks and other digital publications was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (www.IDPF.org), a non-profit standards and trade association, and unanimously approved by IDPF member companies. Publishers benefit from “epub” as it allows them to produce a single digital publication for all distribution channels rather than producing multiple formats for competing reader applications. OverDrive, an IDPF member, joins Hachette Book Group USA, Adobe Systems, Sony, and others in actively supporting the new format.

“The ‘epub’ standard provides new efficiencies for publishers and enhanced readability for consumers,” said Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive and president of IDPF. “Publishers are starting to take advantage of ‘epub’ by developing rich, interactive, and reflowable digital books and periodicals that enhance the reading experience on PCs and portable devices.”

The support of the “epub” standard by leading technology, publishing, and distribution companies adds to the growing momentum behind eBooks.  Hachette Book Group USA announced in October that it will produce its eBooks in the “epub” format, and additional publishers are expected to announce in the coming weeks and months. Adding to that, Sony and others have recently released new eBook reader hardware. Adobe also includes “epub” support in its new reader software, Adobe Digital Editions, providing for reflow-centric content and facilitating mobile device support.  The streamlined, Flash-based reader can be downloaded for free via http://overdrive.com/software/playersandreaders.asp.

In addition to channel-wide integration of “epub” into its businesses, OverDrive supports the new standard as the operational partner of ADEPT (Adobe Digital Experience Protection Technology). OverDrive powers the hosted application service designed to protect digital publications, including those in the “epub” format, for use with Adobe Digital Editions.

 

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive is a global leader in providing world-class technology and infrastructure for downloading premium digital eBooks, audiobooks, music and video. OverDrive provides secure management, protection, and download services for hundreds of publishers and more than 7,500 libraries, schools and retailers in the U.S. and worldwide. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.OverDrive.com

Contacts:

David Burleigh

OverDrive, Inc.

216-573-6886 x218

dburleigh@OverDrive.com

 

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