eBooks simply stands for electronic books - a digital version of a printed book which can be read on computers, eBook readers, smart phones, ipads and other digital and electronic appliances. Usually the text appears as a digitised version of the paper book, but may include interactive elements. You need to decide the most appropriate eBook format for you depending on what you want from your eBook and/or the operating system on your e-reader or other device you are going to use.

DRM is an encryption system that allows publishers to stop the illegal copying, printing or sharing of files, and restricts the number of times an e-book can be downloaded by a purchaser. If an eBook is protected by DRM software, it can be read only on authorised computers or handheld devices by the identified user, who is the person or organisation who first purchased it. In order to find out what restrictions apply please contact the publisher of the product you are interested in, as DRM information is not available to retailers.

Digital Rights Management is only applied when the product is downloaded. This is because the DRM gives an individual code to tie the purchase to the customer. This is called different things by format providers, but each of them has an ID number of some description which a purchaser is required to enter – such as an Adobe User ID.

Although DRM is controlled by the publisher and can vary, the most common standard is that the DRM will allow you to download from your computer to six other devices. However, those devices have to be registered to the same ID number. So, for example, when you create an Adobe User ID, you list up to six devices that you will want to download your books to. You can then add to or amend the list of devices but always keeping within your maximum allowance of six. If you are downloading an eBook using a Sony ID, then you will always have to use Sony devices for further downloads of that book.

There are now many classic novels and other books which are too old to still be in copyright which are available as eBooks which you can download for free and enjoy without any DRM protection.

Adobe can be used on Windows and Mac computers, most eBook readers, smartphones and palm devices. But this is changing all the time with each new device coming on the market, so please check with the manufacturer or your manual to see if your new device is compatible before buying any eBook from any supplier. You will need an Adobe ID for each computer on which you'd like to read your book; this will be automatically issued when you install Adobe Reader with Digital Editions. Adobe is available in two formats, PDF and ePub .

NB: It is very important that the Adobe Digital Edition software is kept up to date. If you refuse an Adobe update, the software automatically provides something called a 'shortcut file' instead. You will then find that, although you can carry on using Adobe DE for eBooks that have previously been downloaded, you will be unable to download or view new items until you complete the upgrade.

Because this is “Open Source” software, this means it can be used on any device that can read PDF or Epub files with DRM protection. However, devices that have their own software and e-libraries can still use Adobe PDF and Epub, although once in the software provider's e-library, the book can only be transferred to their personal designated devices.

For further help see the Adobe website.

You can usually download the eBook up to three times from the download link in the e mail, although publishers have the right to vary this. This will allow you to re-try if you encounter any problems with your initial download. If the first version you downloaded gets lost due to you changing or losing your laptop or device, you can download the eBook again to your new eLibrary.

We strongly suggest that if you receive error messages during downloading you check these with the software provider, your Internet Service Provider, or us in the last resort, before attempting your third and final download. After three downloads you will automatically receive a message advising that you have reached your permitted limit. Please note that as most other error messages relate to your local PC or internet service, contacting us should really be your last resort.

Each format has its own rules about how many times you can download an eBook and to how many different devices. Please check with your software provider. In addition the Digital Rights Management set by the publisher for a specific title may override default format settings.

You may be allowed to print a limited number of pages by publishers of some Adobe eBooks, but this varies according to each individual title. This is built into the DRM. You will need to check with the publisher of the specific book you want to buy.

Yes, once you have successfully downloaded your eBook, it is yours to read as many times as you like. However, like any other electronic file, it must be properly saved in order to be retrieved. The procedure for saving files varies between formats, if in doubt, please check with your software provider.

eBooks are subject to VAT, and the VAT component is included in the purchase price.

Books @ Hoddesdon are deemed to have provided the product to you when it is ready to download from the email sent to you. At this point it is your choice when and how to download it. We cannot take responsibility for the download process as this uses software and hardware that we do not supply.

Please be aware that Internet Security Protocols can hinder or completely prevent downloads. Please check your software provider's instructions on what settings can affect downloads. Generally, anyone using High Security settings of will not be able to download. That is true of downloading anything from the internet, not just eBooks.

If you do encounter any errors in downloading the product, please first check your software documentation and Help options. Should your software provider advise you that the fault is in the download file itself we will arrange for the file to be checked. You will need to contact us on or by phone on 01992 442290 with all the details from the eBookshelf screen. Should the file contain any error it will be replaced. In the very unlikely event that the file cannot be replaced the order will be cancelled.

Refunds are not available on eBooks for practical and copyright reasons. Unlike a paper book we cannot re-sell or return the product once we have supplied it, so please make sure you check that you are ordering the correct format for your machine.