.LCPL File Extension
Readium LCP License Document
| Developer | Readium Foundation / European Digital Reading Lab |
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What is an LCPL file?
An LCPL file is a Readium LCP License Document used to distribute and manage access to an ebook or other digital publication protected by Readium Licensed Content Protection (LCP). It contains information in the UTF-8-encoded JSON format, such as the publication identifier, links to the protected publication, license information, usage rights, and cryptographic data that a compatible reading application uses to access the protected publication. LCPL files typically do not contain the ebook itself.
More Information
LCP is a digital rights management (DRM) system developed for the publishing industry and managed by the European Digital Reading Lab (EDRLab). It uses a passphrase-based system to authenticate the user and protect the publication. Depending on the publication, an LCPL file can be used to acquire a protected EPUB ebook, LCP-protected PDF, or LCP-protected audiobook.
Users typically encounter LCPL files when borrowing or purchasing LCP-protected digital publications from compatible bookstores, libraries, and other distributors. Instead of opening an LCPL file as an ebook, a compatible reading application imports the license, uses it to download or access the protected publication, and prompts the user for the required passphrase when necessary. The application decrypts the publication and presents it to the user while enforcing the rights specified by the license, such as an expiration date or restrictions on copying and printing.
How to open an LCPL file
You can open LCPL files with a Readium LCP-compatible ebook application, such as Read-Now on Android or Thorium Reader on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Import the LCPL file into the compatible reading application, then enter the passphrase associated with the protected publication when prompted. The application uses the license to download or access the protected ebook and adds it to your library for reading.