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Why might an e-book with DRM fail to open in software that supports its file format?

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A person holds a Sony e-reader displaying text in front of a large illuminated sign reading e-book multiple times at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. — e-book An e-reader on display at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany, 2012.

An e-book with digital rights management (DRM) may fail to open in software that supports its file format because DRM functions as a file-encryption and access-control system.1

Even if a device or application is technically capable of displaying a specific format—such as PDF or EPUB—the proprietary DRM layer effectively "locks" the file to a specific user's identity and to authorized software controlled by the company that sold the content. Because these closed, proprietary systems are designed to restrict access to their own ecosystem, software that is not explicitly authorized or integrated with that specific DRM provider will be unable to decrypt or display the file.1

While proponents argue that these measures are necessary to protect intellectual property from piracy, critics contend that such restrictions create a clumsy user experience and unfairly limit the rights of consumers over the digital content they have purchased.1