No, Amazon does not “own” your book just because you self-publish on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). In most cases, you keep your copyright and control, and you simply give Amazon permission to sell and distribute your book through their platform.
The confusion usually comes from a few real details that sound scary if you do not know what they mean: Amazon requires a license to distribute your book, KDP Select can add exclusivity for the ebook, and Amazon may keep files available for customers who already bought the book. Those things are not the same as ownership.
If you are considering self-publishing services or you are already on KDP and feeling uncertain, this guide will walk you through what is actually happening in plain language.
The Quick Answer In Normal Words
When you publish on KDP, you are granting Amazon a license. A license is permission to use your work in specific ways. It is not the same as transferring ownership.
KDP’s agreement says you grant Amazon a nonexclusive right and license to print and distribute your book in the formats you choose to make available.
Nonexclusive is the key word. It means you can still publish the same book elsewhere, unless you voluntarily choose an exclusivity program (we will cover that soon).
What Amazon Gets When You Publish On KDP
A distribution license, not your copyright
KDP’s terms are written from an operations perspective: Amazon needs legal permission to print books on demand, deliver ebooks, and distribute through its stores and partners. That is what the license covers.
This is why the agreement talks about “printing,” “distribution,” and “formats,” not about Amazon becoming the owner of your story.
Why the license is described as “irrevocable”
You may notice wording like “nonexclusive, irrevocable.” That makes people nervous. Here is the simple meaning: Amazon needs a stable right to fulfill orders and deliver books customers already purchased.
If a customer buys your ebook today, Amazon needs the ability to keep that customer’s access working. That is why the KDP agreement explains that after termination, Amazon may continue to maintain digital copies so customers can keep access or re-download, and customer rights to books they already acquired continue.
This is about customer access, not Amazon claiming ownership of your book.
Third-party distribution is part of the deal
KDP’s license also allows distribution “directly and through third-party distributors.”
That matters if you enable options like wider print distribution. It does not change who owns your book. It just expands where Amazon can send it under your chosen settings.
The Biggest Exception People Miss: KDP Select
KDP Select is where the “Does Amazon own my book?” fear usually comes from, because KDP Select does involve exclusivity.
What KDP Select actually requires
KDP Select is only for Kindle ebooks. When your ebook is enrolled, it must be exclusive to the Kindle Store for the enrollment period. KDP’s help page states that during the 90-day enrollment period, the ebook can only be distributed through KDP and public libraries.
So no, Amazon still does not “own” your book. But yes, you are agreeing not to sell the ebook elsewhere while you are enrolled.
What is still allowed when you are in Select
Even while enrolled, KDP notes you can keep distributing print and other formats elsewhere.
That means you can still:
- Sell paperback or hardcover through other channels
- Publish an audiobook elsewhere
- Offer other non-ebook editions
You are basically making a business choice: exclusivity for the ebook in exchange for Select benefits.
“Wide” vs “Select” in one glance
| Choice | Ebook exclusivity | Can you sell the ebook elsewhere? | Best for |
| Standard KDP | No | Yes | Authors who want flexibility |
| KDP Select | Yes, during 90-day term | No (while enrolled) | Authors focused on Kindle ecosystem |
If you are planning long-term distribution across multiple retailers, Select may not fit. If you are maximizing Kindle visibility and Kindle Unlimited page reads, it can be worthwhile. The key is knowing what you are signing up for.
The ISBN Confusion: “If Amazon Gives Me An ISBN, Do They Own My Book?”
This is another big myth. The short answer: an ISBN does not decide copyright ownership.
What a free KDP ISBN really means
KDP’s help page explains you can use a free ISBN from KDP for paperback and hardcover, and that KDP registers that ISBN with Bowker using your book details.
KDP also clearly states that a free KDP ISBN is only for publishing with KDP.
So what changes with a free ISBN?
- The ISBN is tied to that edition through KDP
- The imprint shown may be “Independently published” depending on setup
What does not change?
- Your copyright ownership
- Your authorship
- Your ability to publish elsewhere (you may just need a different ISBN edition strategy)
When buying your own ISBN makes sense
KDP says a purchased ISBN can be used to publish the same book on other publishing services, as long as it is registered correctly.
Buying your own ISBN often makes sense if:
- You want your own imprint name as the publisher of record
- You plan to distribute the same print edition outside Amazon
- You want consistent listing details across platforms
Again, this is about branding and distribution flexibility, not Amazon owning your work.
What Happens If You Unpublish The Book Or Your KDP Account Is Closed
This is where people feel like “Amazon owns it,” because the book can still exist in some form.
Readers who already bought your ebook keep their copy
KDP’s agreement says that after termination or suspension, Amazon may maintain digital copies to provide continuing access or re-downloads for customers who bought the book earlier.
That is normal in digital commerce. If you buy an ebook, the store does not usually erase it from your library because the author later pulls the title.
Print inventory can still be sold
KDP’s termination section also notes Amazon may continue to sell any inventory it has of your print books.
If you use print on demand, this is usually minimal, but it is still important to understand: customer orders and existing inventory can be fulfilled even if you stop distributing.
So, What Do You Actually Control On Amazon?
Here is what most authors do control in normal KDP publishing:
You control the content you upload, the title information you enter, the price range you choose (within platform rules), and whether you keep the ebook exclusive by enrolling in Select.
You also control whether you keep the book published or unpublish it, knowing that prior customers may still have access to their purchases.
The biggest loss of control is usually not “ownership.” It is distribution dependency. If your entire audience is on one platform, any platform issue affects your income. That is a business risk, not a copyright transfer.
Common Myths and Straight Answers
Myth 1: “Amazon can take my book and sell it without paying me”
KDP is built around royalties and distribution under an agreement. The license you grant is for printing and distributing your book through the program, and royalty terms apply if you are not in breach.
Myth 2: “If I go exclusive once, I can never go wide again”
KDP Select runs in 90-day enrollment periods, and the ebook must stay exclusive during that period. Many authors rotate: they try Select, then opt out later if “wide” distribution better fits their goals.
Myth 3: “Using a free ISBN means Amazon owns my book”
The KDP ISBN page focuses on how ISBN options affect publishing and imprint details. It does not say it transfers copyright.
ISBN choices affect listing and edition control, not ownership of the manuscript.
A Simple Checklist To Protect Yourself When Publishing On Amazon
You do not need to be a legal expert to be careful. You just need a clean process.
1) Keep your original files and proof of authorship
Save dated drafts, source files, and your final manuscript files. If a dispute ever happens, having clean records matters.
2) Read the Select exclusivity rules before clicking enroll
If you want to sell your ebook on other platforms, do not enroll in Select. If you do enroll, make sure you remove ebook listings elsewhere for the enrollment term.
3) Decide your ISBN strategy early for print
If you plan to distribute print editions beyond Amazon, buying your own ISBN usually keeps things cleaner. KDP explains the difference between a free KDP ISBN and using your own ISBN.
4) Think beyond Amazon if long-term stability matters to you
Some authors do fine with Amazon-only. Others want multiple retailers and direct sales. The best choice depends on your genre, audience, and goals.
Where Professional Help Can Save You Time and Stress
Most problems in self-publishing come from avoidable mistakes: unclear rights decisions, messy formatting, weak covers, wrong categories, and rushed launches.
If you want guidance that keeps everything clean and professional, contact Fleck Publisher for self-publishing services that cover the parts authors usually struggle with most: ISBN registration, metadata and category setup, retail-ready file upload, professional editing, book cover design, and launch support.
That kind of structure keeps you in control while reducing the risk of costly do-overs.
The Real Takeaway: Amazon Does Not Own Your Book, But Your Choices Matter
If you publish on KDP without Select, you are typically granting a nonexclusive distribution license, meaning you can also publish elsewhere.
If you enroll your ebook in Select, you are agreeing to ebook exclusivity for the enrollment period.
If you use a free KDP ISBN, you are choosing a KDP-tied ISBN option for print editions, which affects imprint and where that ISBN can be used.
None of these equal Amazon owning your book. They are business and distribution settings that change how and where your book can be sold.
Conclusion:
So, does Amazon own your book if you self-publish? In normal KDP publishing, no. You are licensing Amazon to distribute your work under specific terms, and you remain the owner of your content.
The smart move is simply to publish with your eyes open: understand what Select exclusivity means, choose your ISBN strategy deliberately, keep clean records, and build a publishing plan that matches your long-term goals.
If you want a smoother path with fewer mistakes, professional self-publishing services can help you publish confidently while keeping control where it matters.