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IPG to offer a DRM-free option to its publishers

June 6, 2012

CHICAGO, June 5, 2012—Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is now offering its publishers the option to sell their digital titles without Digital Rights Management (DRM).

DRM is intended to bar consumers from sharing a file by requiring account and device authentication, thus restricting the use of the electronic file. There is a growing debate over the effectiveness and value of using DRM as some critics feel it unfairly limits consumer options because it prohibits them from moving purchased files between their own devices.

“Whether or not to sell books with DRM is a decision publishers need to make,” says IPG President Mark Suchomel. “Since there was interest among our clients, we felt IPG could service them better by giving them an option.”

IPG-distributed publishers ECW Press (www.ecwpress.com), Chicago Review Press (www.chicagoreviewpress.com), Medallion Press (www.medallionpress.com) and Triumph Books (www.triumphbooks.com) have already jumped on the opportunity. David Caron, co-publisher of Toronto-based ECW, says “We work hard to interest readers in our authors. If DRM sours that relationship, then as a publisher, we must trust that readers will respect authors by only copying e-books for their private use.” ECW Press’ titles, including bestsellers Far and Away and Moe & Me, will soon be available DRM-free at www.ipgbook.com.

Cynthia Sherry, publisher of Chicago Review Press, notes, “I do not believe that DRM prevents piracy, but simply frustrates paying customers and hinders sales. By removing DRM we are offering our customers the flexibility to read their e-books on whatever device they please.” DRM-free e-books of their bestsellers I’m with the Band, Little Girl Blue, and Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure, along with the rest of Chicago Review Press’ catalog, are currently available for purchase through IPG’s Web site, www.ipgbook.com.

In his recent blog article for PublishersWeekly.com, popular author Cory Doctorow, who has published books with IPG-distributed publishers Tachyon Publications and PM Press, espoused the benefits of DRM-free e-books, “For too long, publishers have been worrying about the wrong thing, chasing-the-pie-in-the-sky DRM that has never worked at stopping piracy, and will never work.”

Established in 1971, IPG was the first organization specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. With consistent growth each year, IPG’s success has come from supporting and encouraging the growth of its client publishers in the United States and worldwide. IPG has a wide reach in the market with its distribution of publishers with academic, Spanish-language, computer and general trade nonfiction and fiction titles. IPG was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987. Clients include publishers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Spain and other countries. In the fall of 2006, the senior management of Chicago Review Press, Inc., the parent company of IPG, bought Trafalgar Square Publishing, Inc., the leading U.S. distributor of UK publishers. Trafalgar Square Publishing was founded in 1973 and distributes for clients such as Aurum Press, Canongate UK, Hodder & Stoughton, Headline, Orion Publishing, Random House UK and Simon and Schuster UK.

For more information or to speak with IPG President Mark Suchomel, please contact Publicity Manager Jen Wisnowski, 312.337.0747 ext. 227.