Our authors and readers have been asking for this for a long time,” said president and publisher Tom Doherty. “They’re a technically sophisticated bunch, and DRM is a constant annoyance to them. It prevents them from using legitimately-purchased e-books in perfectly legal ways, like moving them from one kind of e-reader to another.

This is, to put it mildly, a big deal. I recently wrote an article suggesting that publishers need to fight the potential of an Amazon price-war with quality, and features. Going DRM-free is a massive leap in the right direction, especially if the sentiment catches on.

I do wonder, though, if "DRM-free" will also signal a return of lending rights to TOR books, and the ability to lend books using Amazon and B&N's lending services?