How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Barnes & Noble uses its own DRM scheme for some EPUB books. It's a variant of the Adobe ADEPT scheme, and all the Adobe SDK users will get access to it eventually. The problem is that many consumers can’t read B&N books on their ebook readers.

Circumventing Barnes & Noble DRM for EPUB
Software to remove DRM from B&N EPUB ebooks:
A Windows-only key-retrieval script: ignoblekey (version 2)
An any-platform key-generation script: ignoblekeygen (version 1)
And an any-platform book-decryption script: ignobleepub (version 1)
You need the decryption script and one of either the key-retrieval or key-generation scripts. They produce the same output. The key-generator works on any platform. The Windows key-retrieval script can get access to your credit card (despite being an open-source script).



How to remove DRM protection from your B&N ADEPT EPUB files

1. Download
   • Download Barnes and Noble Desktop Reader
   • Download Python (use Python x32 on Windows x64)
   • Download PyCrypto (Compatible with your Python version)
   • Download DRM removal scripts: ignoblekeygen, ignobleepub
2. Install
   • Install B&N Desktop Reader
   • Install Python THEN PyCrypto
3. Download DRM protected EPUB books from B&N
   
4. Generate your B&N EPUB key
   1. Go to Barnes and noble website.
   2. Log in and click on "My account".
   3. On the right click "Manage credit cards".
      
      The name under the credit card # will be he name used with ignoblekeygen
      
   4. Open ignoblekeygen
   5. Paste that name into the field name.
      
   6. For credit card number use your full 16-digit card number that you have set as the Barnes and Noble default credit card (no spaces). The last few digit of this card are shown above name...
      
   7. Click generate and you should have your B&N EPUB key (bnepubkey.b64)
      
   8. If you get "Key cannot be null string" check over your name and cc settings.
5. Decrypt EPUB
   1. Open ignobleepub
      
   2. For key open your previously generated (bnepubkey.b64)
      
   3. For input file go to (My documents/My Barnes and Noble ebooks/My email/) and choose your DRM protected epub file.
      
   4. Choose an output name and add the .epub extension.
      
   5. Click Decrypt

See also:
ebook DRM removal tools archive

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

If you get the following error after running ignoblekey.pyw
"Error: Problem decoding key; unexpected DB format?"
you can either find and delete your 'ClientAPI_v012.db' file then re-authorize BDReader with your account information,
or just use the key-derivation script (ignoblekeygen).

Both ignoblekey and ignoblekeygen will produce the same output when they work correctly.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Wow, thanks!

I will try this as soon as I figure out how to download and work with the python stuff!

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Ok so I have bought a book off of b&n.com, and not being able to use it with my ebook reader, I need to remove the DRM. I have downloaded the decryption script, key generation scrypt, Python and Pycripto.
I am a newbie at this and am not sure how to go from there. Which script do I do first and what do I put in for the Key file, Input file, and Output file?? And for the key generation, do I actually put in my cc #?

Sorry but please help..

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Lewshu, try to read the following:
How to remove DRM from sony ebooks (BBeB and EPUB)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Hello, I have used the above technique and all is well except the file I received from B&N is in the .PDB file extensions, not EPUB. When I tried the ignoblepub I get "this is not a zip file". Can someone steer me in the right direction? Thanks.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Okay, after doing some reading I realize this method is for EPUB format files. I've tried the PDB to PDF as mentioned about but the file is still encrypted and the PDF output is all gibberish. I also tried the eread2html method but get an error while finishing.

What's the best method and what file format is the best to end up with? I hear HTML format isn't exactly ideal anyway. Preferably I would like to just strip the encryption and just leave the PDF file intact. What's my best option? Thanks.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

hi i am new and im trying to remove DRM from my B&N PDB books i don't have a device to get the pid from just my pc every thing works in-till i get the error "the filename,directory name,or volume, lable syntay is incorrect" i cant find the files\downloads for xpml2xhml.py or ereader2html.py:( the only one i could find was erdr2pml.py is there any one who can help me:)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

The program is not working for me, am I doing anything wrong
First I got error "Could not locate B&N Reader installation"
I edited the file and changed a variable and that fixed the error
#BN_APPDATA_DIR = r'Barnes & Noble\DesktopReader'
BN_APPDATA_DIR = r'Barnes & Noble\BNDesktopReader'

Then I got the error "Problem locating B&N Reader DB". Looking at the program it was looking for ClientAPI_*.db. Such file did not exists on my PC but there was a file "C:\Users\XXXXXXX\AppData\Roaming\Barnes & Noble\BNDesktopReaderClientAPI.db".
I edited the program again and changed one more line
# dbpath = glob.glob(os.path.join(bndir, 'ClientAPI_*.db'))
dbpath = glob.glob(os.path.join(bndir, 'ClientAPI*.db'))

Now I am getting following error "B&N User Key not found. Unexpected DB format?"

I have Barnes and Noble reader on my Windows 7 desktop. ANy help?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

@cnewsgrp
what software are you using? are you trying to remove DRM from ePub or PDB ebooks?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I am using ignoblekey and I have installed Barnes and Noble eReader for desktop installed on my PC

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Ok, but do you have ePub or PDB ebooks from B&N? This method works with EPUB files only.

If you get the "B&N User Key not found. Unexpected DB format?" error, you can try to remove the "ClientAPI_v012.db" file, then re-authorize BNReader with your account information. Alternatively you can use the key-derivation script (ignoblekeygen). Both ignoblekey and ignoblekeygen will produce the same output when they work correctly.

Also make sure you use the name from the Credit Card, not your B&N username.

If you need to remove DRM from PDB files, read the following thread:
Remove DRM from PDB ebook from B&N (Barnes & Noble),...

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

The books are ePub books. I have tried this several times now and still not working. From your comment (Also make sure you use the name from the Credit Card, not your B&N username.) it seems that I am doing something wrong.

How am I supposed to run this? I have done following things
1) Downloaded BN eReader for PC, logged in and downloaded my ebooks. I see them under "C:\Users\MyName\Documents\My Barnes & Noble eBooks\MyEmailAddress"
2) Downloaded and installed Python 2.6.
3) Downloaded "ignoblekey.py"
4) I double click and see the error "B&N User Key not found. Unexpected DB format"

What am I doing wrong?

I have Windows 7 PC. Also want to add that I have tried deleting ClientAPI.db file multiple times and that the file is always called ClientAPI.db - not ClientAPI_vXXX.db. File location is C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Roaming\Barnes & Noble\BNDesktopReader

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I am all set. I can still not get ignoblekey.py to work, but ignoblekeygen.pyw works.

For the confused people like me. Here are instructions in plain english.
1) Go to http://i-u2665-cabbages.blogspot.com...-for-epub.html
2) Download ignoblekeygen.pyw and ignobleepub.pyw
3) Download and install Python 2.6 and pycrypto-2.1.0 in that order
4) Login into bn.com and write down your user name (not the email address) and credit card # on file.
4) Double click ignoblekeygen.pyw. Enter your user name (not the email address) and credit card # on file. It should generate bnepubkey.b64 file if all is well.

5) Double click ignobleepub.pyw. Enter input file (epub file with DRM downloaded from BN). Output file (any file name)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Ok, i am COMPLETELY lost. I've downloaded the python 2.6, and went to bout the websites (ignoblekeygen and ignobleepub), but they both tell you to go to the same voidspace page (http://www.voidspace.org.uk/python/m...shtml#pycrypto)
and download the same thing (PyCrypto 2.1 for python 2.6)and name it 2 different names.

I installed python 2.6 and the pycrypto file, ran both and was never asked to enter the name and cc# for my key. I really have no idea what I'm doing (hence the username lol), and would appreciate any help on figuring this out.

Thank You

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Have you read the posts above?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

hi,

i got through all the steps including getting the keyfile generator.
but when i run ignobleepub, i get the following error:
"-3 while decompressing: invalid distance too far back"

any help is appreciated.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

what version do you use? what OS do you have?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

hi stream recording guru,

i am on windows xp. and the version im using is:

python 2.6 (because the keygen couldnt find 2.6 - so i downloaded 2.6 instead of using the most updated version)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I'm not a developer of the script and i don't really know much about python. I recommend you to make sure Python 2.6 and pycrypto-2.1.0 are installed properly. And make sure to install Python and then PyCrypto (in that order)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Does anyone have any updated information for the new B&N 2.5 reader format?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Okay, I'm having a problem. When I try to run ignoblekey.pyw it says "Error: Could not locate B&N Reader installation." I have the B&N Reader installed in the default location. So why is it giving me this error?

EDIT: Ok, I listened to cnewsgrp as I was having the exact same problem as him. Only when I went to run ignoblekeygen.pyw, it gave me an error: This script requires PyCrypto, which must be installed separately. Read the top-of-script comment for details. I have PyCrypto 2.1 installed, for Python 2.6, which is the version I have. So now what?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Barnes and Noble: ignoblekey.py error: Could not locate B&N Reader installation

Try to re-install Python and PyCrypto. Use 32 bit versions even if you have 64 bit Windows.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Neither is going to work if you've upgraded to the latest version of the B&N reader, as it is apparently using a different DRM format.

Anyone have an update on when a new version of the DRM remover is going to be available?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

So the book I just downloaded today - none of the pasties, Python, etc. will work at this point?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

OK, I can't figure out how to edit my own freaking post, so have to add to it...

Looks like there is no difference between the latest version of the reader and earlier versions, it was just the setup. You have to be very specific that you have 32-bit versions of php, the crypt libraries, etc. I finally got it to work!

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I followed all the steps, installed the programs in order. The key generator says it's successful. When I run the ignobleepub script, it says "Error: Key cannot be the null string" when I click on Decrypt. Is that an install error - or what? The key file appears to be a zip file. Is that correct? File name is bnepubkey.b64.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I had the same issue and what it means is that something is incorrect about your credit card information.

The key puller doesn't work with the new version of the reader, but you can still use the keygen script. You have to use the exact name as it appears on your credit card (especially if that may be different from what you used for your B&N account). You can also confirm the credit card on file via your B&N profile. They display the last four digits for you there. Once I used the exact name on the credit card it removed the DRM correctly.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

It did finally work! Thanks.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

When I run the ignobleepub script, I get the message 2940000719480.epub: not an B&N adept EPUB. Most of my B&N books have numbers not a title. Any ideas what I need to do?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Make sure such EPUBs are from B&N. Also make sure they are DRM protected (you can convert them to other formats using Calibre if they are not)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Like StreamRecorder says, I found that not all B&N books are DRM protected. I had also assumed they all were, and got the same error once.

There is an opensource ePub editor called Sigil [windows and mac]. I highly advise getting it, because you can use that to test if an epub has DRM or not, as it won't open DRM works. If there is no DRM it will open the file, and then you'll know.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Sorry for the newb question
Is B&N reader the same thing as Nook?

I keep keep getting error the b&n reader could not be found
i just did a fresh install
however i did not login on the nook program

Just trying to help my sister out, I didnt even know these things existed before today :)

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

NOOK App is just an updated version of BN eReader (BN Desktop Reader).

If you have BN Reader v.2.5, then when you run ignoblekey v.2, you can get the following error:
"Could not locate B&N Reader installation".

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Please someone help me. I just want to read my book. :( When i run the Decrypter It comes up with this " Error: error 3 while decompressing invalid code lengths set" Also i can't get the 'ignoblekey.pyw' to work. I keep getting the error 'error could not locate b&n reader installation.' I have the newest one so i think that's the problem there.
This sucks, i don't know what i'm doing.

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

This is confusing... trying to find up to date instructions across several threads and multiple posts.

First question:
Do I need pycrypto to use ignoblekey or is that just for ignoblekeygen.py?

Second question:
With nook desktop reader 2.5.1.xxx, will ignoblekey work at all?
It is not clear from the seemingly conflicting posts on the threads.

I was getting the "Error: Could not locate B&N Reader installation"
I made the following modification to ignoblekey.pyw
BN_APPDATA_DIR = r'Barnes & Noble\BNDesktopReader'

and got the "Error: Problem locating B&N Reader DB". I made the following modification:
dbpath = glob.glob(os.path.join(bndir, 'ClientAPI*.db'))

and got the "B&N User Key not found. Unexpected DB format?"

I deleted ClientAPI.db from by Application settings, but all the Nook reader asks for is my B&N
account email and password. Which does not seem to fix the error. Am I supposed to do something with my account setting on the B&N Website?

Update:
ignoblekeygen worked, so the question still stands has the current versions of the nook desktop reader broken ignoblekey even after updating the directory/file names?

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

Updated DRM removal tools:

tools_1.9.zip

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

All right, my fine folks, I've searched around and have been unable to find any solutions for this particular snag: when I run ignoblekeygen I get an error message that reads "Error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: 'bnepubkeyb64'". I saw one other post with someone reporting this error on the I<3 Cabbages blog, but there were no answers given, and the author hasn't commented on it in a GOOD long while.

Particulars: running Windows 7 x64, python 2.7.1 (32-bit, as per instructions), OpenSSL 1.0.0 (also 32-bit). Also installed pycrypto to see if that would make the difference, but no dice.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks, everybody!

Re: How to remove DRM protection from B&N (Barnes & Noble) EPUB ebooks

 

I'd suggest trying the latest tools in the tools v3.0 archive (latest link always on my blog - see my profile), and if you still have problems, asking there, which where the maintainers of the scripts hang out.

— Alf.