application benefit built-in content cost customers development devices ebook ebooks feature features file format layer likely market next order original pdf pdfs popular probably problems program provisions reply resources sales share shift specifically stamp stamped stamper stamping suspect tells thank-you type types users years

I love-love-love the PDF stamping feature. Is there any chance it might someday work with other file formats like Mobi, Lit or ePub?

It's not likely to happen for any other formats, as in order to add the stamp, our Stamper program leverages certain design-oriented features (layering and compositing) inherent to the PDF file spec itself, and PDF is by far the most popular format for eBooks, so it was worth the investment in Development resources to program the stamping application for it specifically.

Other eBook formats either have no built-in provisions to add a layer and composite that back into the original content, and/or they have minuscule market share, so even if it were possible to program a Stamper for any of those formats, there'd be hardly anyone interested in using it. We have to dedicate our development resources where they will provide the greatest cost/benefit payoff for the most users.

I've noticed that 85% of my sales are PDF and my other 3 file types make up the rest. I suspect we might see a shift now that ereader devices are getting more popular, but it'll probably take a couple of years. It looks like ePub is supposed to be the next big file type, but an informal survey of my customers tells me that they are scared to give up their PDFs. (Which is great for me, since PDFs can be stamped.)

The stamping has really decreased my piracy problems, so thank you again. And thanks for the quick reply!