iBooks Author update: Apple doesn’t own you after all

Is iBooks Author awesome again?

Apple’s new publishing program, released just a few weeks ago, seemed like a really cool piece of software that would make it possible for people to create an iBook complete with all kinds of interactive functionality, with very little coding know-how.

But because of some funky wording in the End User License Agreement, some people worried that Apple was claiming ownership to any content created using its software.

Well, Apple updated the language of its EULA on Friday to make it clear that the content you create using iBooks Author is all yours if you want to turn it into a paper book or sell it as a non-iPad friendly e-book. But if you plan to distribute it for a fee, in the .ibook format, Apple is going to be involved.

Here’s the official wording, with the new language in italics:

(ii) if the work is provided for a fee (including as part of any subscription-based product or service) and includes files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author, the work may only be distributed through Apple, and such distribution will be subject to a separate written agreement with Apple (or an Apple affiliate or subsidiary); provided, however, that this restriction will not apply to the content of the work when distributed in a form that does not include files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author. You retain all your rights in the content of your works, and you may distribute such content by any means when it does not include files in the .ibooks format generated by iBooks Author.

Will this make content creators feel more comfortable with creating works in iBooks Author?

Unclear.

But at least Apple has clarified that just because you wrote it in iBooks Author, the company doesn’t think it owns it.

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