Apple planning to employ FairPlay DRM for iBookstore?

Apple may be planning to use its FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM) software on iBookstore purchases. Citing sources in the publishing industry, the Los Angeles Times reports that Apple will use its proven DRM to protect book sales from the iBookstore, although some publishers, such as O’Reilly Media—which has spoken out against DRM on e-book sales—may choose to opt-out of FairPlay on its offerings. According to the report, O’Reilly is in negotiations with Apple offer its books on the iBookstore, which will be part of the new iBooks app expected to launch alongside the iPad. Apple originally developed FairPlay for use on the iTunes Music Store, but has since moved to selling all DRM-free music.