Piracy is the first question most authors ask when considering a new digital platform. It is the right question. If you have spent months or years writing a book, the last thing you want is to publish it digitally and watch it circulate for free on Telegram channels and file-sharing sites.
This article explains exactly how Sọna is built to prevent that, and what protection actually looks like in practice.
The Core Difference: Readers access your book; they do not receive it.
Most piracy happens at the point of file delivery. A platform sends a reader an EPUB file, which can be forwarded, uploaded, or shared like any other document.
Sọna works differently. When a reader purchases your book, they do not receive a file. They purchase access to read through the Sọna platform, on the web or in the app. The book is served through a secure, server-gated system. There is no file download, no public link, and no EPUB to copy and pass around.
This is the most fundamental layer of protection, and it exists at the infrastructure level, not as an add-on.
Transaction-level DRM Encryption
Every copy of your book served on Sọna is encrypted and locked to the specific buyer's account. This is not a blanket watermark applied to all copies. It is account-level encryption at the point of transaction.
What this means in practice: a copy served to one reader cannot be opened by another account. Even if a reader somehow extracted the file data, it would be unreadable outside of their authenticated session.
If a copy does surface somewhere, it should not, it can be traced back to the exact account it was served to.
Visible Watermarks on Web Reading
When readers access your book on the Sọna web reader, their account information is embedded as a visible watermark. This acts as a deterrent and as evidence if a copy is shared without authorisation.
App Only Mode: The strongest protection available
For authors who want the highest level of content protection, Sọna offers App Only distribution. When you select this setting, your book can only be read inside the Sọna iOS or Android Reader app. It is not accessible in any web browser.
The Sọna Reader mobile apps include screenshot and screen recording prevention. The screen goes blank when a screenshot or recording is attempted, the same behaviour you see with Netflix. This means readers cannot capture pages and redistribute them as images.
App Only is optional. Most authors choose App and Web distribution for easier reader access. But if content protection is your priority, App Only gives you the strongest available layer.
Territorial Geo-blocking
If your publishing agreement limits where you can sell your book, whether by country, region, or rights territory, you can enforce that on Sọna directly.
The platform allows you to block specific countries from purchasing or accessing your title. If you only hold Nigerian rights to a book, you can block the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and any other territory where you do not have authorisation to sell. Readers in those countries will not be able to purchase or read the book.
This is especially important for authors and publishers who work with international rights deals or who are licensing titles from elsewhere.
Non-exclusive. Your rights stay yours.
Publishing on Sọna does not require you to give up any rights. The licence is non-exclusive, which means you can publish on Sọna and on any other platform simultaneously. You can also withdraw your title at any time, with no penalty.
Your intellectual property stays yours. Sọna provides a platform and a set of tools. It does not take ownership of your work.
Summary: What Protection Looks Like on Sọna
The goal is to make your book on Sọna the easier, more reliable, and better-protected option, both for you and for readers who want a proper reading experience.
| Protection Layer | How it Works |
|---|---|
| No file delivery | Readers access books through the platform, not downloaded files |
| DRM encryption | Each copy is locked to the buyer's account at the transaction level |
| Visible watermarks | Reader account information embedded in the web reading experience |
| Screenshot Prevention | App Only mode blanks the screen on capture attempts |
| Geo-blocking | Restrict access by country to enforce territorial rights |
| Non-Exclusive Licence | Your rights are never transferred to Sọna |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can readers download my book as a file on Sọna?
No. Books are served through a secure, server-gated system. Readers access your book inside the Sọna platform. There is no EPUB or file download.
What happens if a reader shares their login with someone else?
Books are encrypted and locked to the specific account they were purchased on. Access through a shared login would still be tied to that account, and any misuse is traceable to it.
Can I restrict my book to certain countries?
Yes. Sọna's geo-blocking tool lets you select specific countries to block from purchasing or accessing your title.
Is App Only mode available now?
Yes. You can select App Only distribution when setting up your book in the upload wizard under Pricing and Distribution.
Does publishing on Sọna affect my rights?
No. The licence is non-exclusive. You retain full ownership and can publish elsewhere simultaneously.
Can I withdraw my book if I change my mind?
Yes, at any time and with no penalty.
Ready to Publish?
If piracy protection has been the reason you have held back from digital publishing, Sọna was built with exactly that concern in mind.
Upload your book at readsona.com/publish. The process takes you through eight steps, and you can save and return at any point.
Related Posts
- How to Upload Your Book on Sọna: the complete step-by-step publishing walkthrough
- What Happens During Book Review on Sọna: what the team checks before your book goes live
- Territorial Rights and Regional Restrictions on Sọna: controlling where your book is available