Question about backing up books on my PC & limited downloads policy

[12]

Hi folks!
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question or if it's already been answered (I couldn't find it in my search).

If I back up my Kindle book purchases from Amazon on my PC does that count as one of the limited (5 or 6, I think?) downloads allowed per Kindle account?

Thanks for your help!
12

[intinst]

No it does not, because those backups can only be read on the KIndle to which they were first assigned.

[Ann in Arlington]

I do not believe so.  If you have one kindle and have your books d/l directly to it or d/l to a computer and you move it via USB, that's still just one license used.  Even if you keep a copy of the book because, after all, it's not readable anywhere but your Kindle.

If you get a second kindle (or use the iPod/iPhone app) and down load a book to it, that's a second license use for that book.  But you haven't automatically used a second license of every book you have, just by having a second device.

When the app for PC comes out, having that software will count as another device and you will, I expect, have to download specifically to that app to read it on the computer.  You won't be able to just take the books you previously backed up and read them.

[Betsy the Quilter]

12,

What Ann said.

There are a couple parts to your question.

First, you are not limited in the number of downloads for each book.  However, you ARE limited in the number of devices you can load it on to.  So, you can download it and install it on your Kindle or other device countless times, but if you have 3 Kindles, an iPhone or iPod Touch, and the Kindle for PC application that's coming, and install a book on all of them, that would be five of six licenses used.  Some books have lower limits for installed devices, some are unlimited.

Downloading it to the PC itself does not count as one of your device licenses at this time.

Betsy

[12]

Thank you Ann, Betsy, & Intinst!  You answered my question perfectly AND helped me understand even more in the process.  You folks rock!