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Writers want their work to be read, but restrictive DRM ebooks are currently the only way to release a book digitally while ensuring they get remunerated for their effort. unglue.it is a crowdfunding platform that enables authors to charge for their ebooks until they’re happy enough to release them into the public domain.

The site features three ways authors can make money from their work. The first two are fairly established models: authors either release their work for free and ask for donations from those who enjoyed it, or they ask fans to pledge money towards the creation of a book before delivering the final product. However, unglue.it offers a third option, called ‘Buy to Unglue’. Writers with a finished piece of work can set a funding target they’d like to reach through purchases of the ebook. Fans can then help make the book free for everyone by paying for a copy. When the funding target is reached, the book is ‘unglued’ and moves to a Creative Commons license that enables anyone to make copies, republish, or adapt the work. The more copies sold, the earlier the ‘unglued’ date will be.

The site offers a unique way for authors and publishers to get paid while also avoiding DRM restrictions that can stop readers accessing their work on multiple devices or from copyright laws that keep works from the public domain for up to 70 years after the creator’s death, thus enabling a freer flow of information and ideas. Are there other funding models that can help sustain the ebook industry?