Different Ebook File Formats

EBook File Formats.  

Open Standard file formats can be used by any company without paying royalties or liscensing fees. Proprietary file formats can only be used by the creating company (example: Kindle), or, if that company permits, by third parties that have purchased a usage license.  File formats include:

• EPUB is an open-standard file format for digital books and one of the most widely supported along with .pdf and .txt.  An EPUB benefit is that it allows a books text to automatically adjust or 'reflow' to different screen sizes, including smart phones, netbooks, and ereader devices.  EPUB ebooks also support embedded content, allowing, for instance, a Flash video to be embedded within an ebook.
• PDF or portable document format, is an open standard file format created by Adobe Systems that can be read by most computers and is supported by most ebook readers. Like EPUB, it can display images. However, unlike EPUB, it does not support word-wrap around images.
• Plain Text (.txt).  The "lowest common denominator" of open standard text files.  It can be read by virtually all computers and most ebook readers but does not support images or digital rights management making it a poor choice for publishers who wish to block users from making unauthorized copies of their works.
• Kindle.  The Kindle proprietary file format can only be read by Amazon's Kindle devices.  However, software is available to read the Kindle format on virtually any other device including PC's, iPhones, iPad's, etc.
• eReader.  eReader is a proprietary file format created by PalmMedia.  The eReader format is used in conjunction with the EPUB format by Barnes & Noble's online ebook store for use with the Nook ebook reader.  Software is also available to view eReader formatted books on most other devices/computers.
• BBeb.  Short for Broad Band eBook, the BBeB proprietary file format was created by Sony and Canon for Sony ebook readers. 
• The djvu* format: DjVu (/ˌdeɪʒɑːˈvuː/ DAY-zhah-VUE,[3] like French: déjà vu [deʒavy]) is a computer file format designed primarily to store scanned documents, especially those containing a combination of text, line drawings, indexed color images, and photographs. It uses technologies such as image layer separation of text and background/images, progressive loading, arithmetic coding, and lossy compression for bitonal (monochrome) images. This allows for high-quality, readable images to be stored in a minimum of space, so that they can be made available on the web.
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Audiobook File Formats:

• AAC: Advanced Audio Coding. The file format used by iPods, Nokia and Android-based phones, and the latest generation of Sony Walkmans.
• MP3:  MPEG audio layer 3. A compressed audio format.
• OGG Vorbis.  "A completely open, patent-free, professional audio encoding and streaming technology with all the benefits of Open Source. - Vorbis site.
• WMA.  Windows Media Audio. A WMA audio ebook title, either DRM-protected or not digitally-protected, that has been optimized for download.  WMA audio ebok titles are built using Microsoft Windows Media Audio format which enhances the sound quality for desktop listening , playing of CD copies (where permitted by the publisher), and portable device use.
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