'There Is a Problem With the Configuration of Your iPad' for iBooks
The error message “There is a problem with the configuration of your iPad” can come up on an iPad after its owner modifies the device’s operating system or iOS. The message can occur when the owner tries to use iBooks to read a book from a source other than the iBookstore if the book has security protection in its format to prevent unauthorized copying.
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Jailbreak
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“Jaiilbreak” is a hacker’s term for a program that modifies a device’s operating system. For the iPad, hackers download a jailbreak program into the device to perform activities and use features that are restricted or not available in the Apple iOS. One such feature that a jailbreak allows is to read an ebook in iBooks from a source other than the iBookstore if the book is protected by digital rights management. A number of publishers and electronic bookstores install DRM on e-books to protect against unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted material. DRM protection, however, can cause conflicts when attempting to legitimately open and read e-books. Apple sells both DRM-protected and DRM-free e-books in its iBookstore, but its iBooks application doesn't open DRM-protected books from other sources.
DRM Triggers Error Message
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When a user of a jailbroken iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch attempts to use iBooks to open a DRM-protected book from a non-Apple source, it can trigger the error message. This occurs even if the user legally purchased the ebook and so does not violate the work’s copyright. Ted Landau, writing for The Mac Observer website in February 2011, said the error occurs on more recent iOS devices using iBooks 1.21 or later. Apparently iBooks’ code discovers that the device is jailbroken and refuses to open the book.
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Fixing the Error
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Apple’s recommended fix is to restore the iPad with iTunes and reinstall iBooks. You can work around the error or install a jailbreak that avoids the problem, but Apple cautions that any jailbreak comes with its own set of risks.
Apple on Jailbreaks
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Apple warns that an unauthorized modification of iOS can be a “major source of instability” that can disrupt service and create other issues. The company considers any unauthorized modification of the iOS for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch a violation of its end-user agreement that can void any warranty.
Electronic Jailbreaks are Legal
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Despite Apple’s warning, jailbreaks are legal under the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Federal regulators in July of 2010 listed explicit exemptions to anti-circumvention provisions of the act, including the modification of the iOS to read copyrighted material that the user was legally authorized to read. Regulators concluded the restrictions imposed by Apple’s iOS was a “business model” decision not subject to copyright protection.
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