Easier to use PDF products: personalized, mobile-device friendly and DRM-free

NFPA is making it easier to use your digital NFPA codes and standards with two major changes.

First, all of our PDF products will no longer be locked with the FIleOpen Digital Rights management (DRM) utility. This change simplifies access to code. Many of our customers could not utilize the PDF products on mobile devices like iPads and Android tablets because of technical
 issues. Still more could not use them because of corporate or government security measures. Now you’ll be able to use the code on any PDF-capable device. You’ll have the codes when and where you need  them.

The second change is to the watermarking tool. Until today, watermarks were pre-filled with the customer information on the purchasing account. Now, customers have two fields that separate
 “designated user” from “owner/purchaser.” This will greatly enhance purchasing through purchasing departments or agents. In addition, consultants, trainers and any other code user that buys a copy of the code on behalf of another can easily designate the proper user and owner of that purchase. This change will increase the ability of customers to protect their investment in NFPA products.

We took care to design this new system to be as painless as possible. You won’t need to do a thing to keep using the PDFs you already have. They’ll keep working as they always have been.

But if you need your code on a tablet, buy a new computer or just need a new document, you’ll be able to download it from your profile using the new system. All of your purchases are there waiting for you should you need them.

A changing landscape in publishing – Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Why is NFPA doing this? It lets the customer do their job better. It increases access to life- and property-saving codes and standards. And, as a publisher, it is the right thing to do.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a hotly debated topic in the publishing world. As a policy, it is meant to address the fundamental disconnect between copyright holders and the easy-to-distribute digital format. Historically, a copyright was much easier to protect. If you wrote a book, copying that material was often not worth the effort, so copyright was sufficient protection. With the introduction of digital formats, the world of copyright completely changed. Digital assets are highly portable and easily copied – and computers are consummate copying devices.

As the technology rose, from photocopiers to audio tapes to CD burners to digital downloads, the publishing industry has been engaged in looking for a technological solution to combat piracy. Led by the music and movie industries, publishers of all kinds have used a wide variety of DRM software (and hardware) solutions to try to protect their intellectual property. The escalation of the DRM arms race – ever more complex locks vying with increasingly sophisticated lock picks – has left the customer as the innocent casualty. The competing philosophies see the customer as either a mad, scurvy pirate or a hapless baby seal. Ultimately, the reality is that we’re all somewhere in between. Recent research shows that most people have used pirated software, though many don’t even know it.

NFPA is making a change away from lock-and-key DRM to social DRM. We have removed the software that locked our digital products because it was making it too difficult for our customers to do their work – and when your work is life and work safety, we can’t afford to slow them down. We are adding a new watermarking system that allows appropriate use of our digital product licenses geared for our customers’ needs.

NFPA isn’t the first publisher to make this change. We are a business that supports other businesses, and we will treat our customers like the professionals they are.

As more code users embrace mobile technology, NFPA wants to provide solutions to match your needs. Are you a tablet user? Do you need codes in the field? Let us know what you think.

Comments

[Gary Conway]

This is fabulous news, I look forward to getting all my codes on my tablet!
Kudos to NFPA - and thank you.

[rICO rOQUE]

Timely I need this NFPA codes. Thanking so much for your good news.

[Faith Ortins]

Not so good. Lost all my previously purchased documents. New computer, none of the purchased documents show up in profile.

[Sam Driver]

Faith, that is certainly not working as intended. Let's diagnose your problem. Our customer service experts can help fix your issue. You should hear from them soon, but you can always contact us at custserv @ nfpa.org.

[Bob Schifiliti]

What about subscriptions? If I download a pdf as part of my full code subscription, will it stop working if I do not renew the subscription? That is how it has worked in the past - despite many comapliant we were told that we were licensing, not buying.

[Sam Driver]

Good question, Bob. The good news is that any DRM-free copy of the PDF won't expire. The license terms remain, so you'll be able to use it without hassle for as long as you maintain your subscription. Coupled with the ability to use the files on any tablet, this change should make it as easy as possible to use the codes when and where you need to.

[Bob Schifiliti]

Thanks, but I don't think I understand the answer. If I just buy a pdf copy of an NFPA doc, it will be watermarked and I agree to not copy or distribute AND it will never expire. Is that correct?

But, if instead I spend $$$$ for the full subscription service, when I download the pdf version it WILL expire at the end of my subscription and I will NOT be able to open it unless I spend another $$$$? Is that correct? Or, will the subsription copy work the same as a single purchase copy?

[Sam Driver]

Hi Bob - the simple and better version you outlined is correct: all of the PDFs work the same way now. NFCSS PDFs and single purchase PDFs go through the same process of watermarking and neither contain the time-limiting function anymore. Both will work on any device and won't expire. If you have older copies of the file, go back to your NFPA profile and download a fresh copy. Then they'll work as you expect.

The only difference is in the license terms. If you've got any questions about your license, don't hesitate to send me an email and I can help you through the legalese.

[Tomas Gosdin]

I am in a position where i currently hold a state licence in residential light license for building houses. Now i work in a hospital and in a supervisory position with light commercial contactors everyday and supervising them with the current building specs,& codes... My license and credentials should be increased to the light commercial licence. How do I go about doing this? Please advise

[Joseph Brinley]

Thank you! I have PDFs going back to 99 on my tablet, now I can use my 2011 also. The PDFs are nice when I am out of the office and don't want to carry all five of these real world books.

[John Sabo]

How do I access my PDF of the 2012 70e? It won't come up on my laptop where I downloaded it, and I cannot find it anywhere on these pages.