Key facts
- Bookshop.org, an Amazon competitor that supports local bookshops, has confirmed progress on integrating with Rakuten's Kobo e-readers.
- CEO Andy Hunter stated that business terms have been settled and Kobo support is now expected to roll out later this year.
- Previous promises for Kobo support were for 2025, then 2026, and at one point seemed indefinitely delayed.
- The integration faced delays due to business and engineering challenges, particularly concerning digital rights management.
- Bookshop.org's engineers are now returning their focus to Kobo support after prioritizing the mobile app.
Bookshop.org, an online platform that supports independent bookstores, has announced that integration with Rakuten's Kobo e-readers is now expected to launch later this year. Previously, the partnership had been promised for 2025, then delayed to 2026, and at one point appeared to be indefinitely postponed.
Andy Hunter, founder and CEO of Bookshop.org, stated in an email that business terms with Kobo have been settled, and the company is confident the collaboration will proceed. He explained that the delays were due to both business and engineering challenges, particularly in ensuring compliance with publisher requirements for digital rights management. Hunter noted that his engineers have been focused on improving Bookshop.org's mobile app, but are now returning their attention to the Kobo integration.
While Kobo users have alternative methods for purchasing e-books, such as through DRM-free stores or library services like Overdrive, the Bookshop.org integration aims to provide a direct way to support local bookshops while using the Kobo device. Other e-reader platforms, like Android-based devices with Google Play support, can already access the Bookshop.org app.