Reference Guide Digital Rights Management

I'm fairly sure that last time I purchased a Reference Guide (hard copy with downloadable PDF), we got the book and a regular PDF. Sure they were secured, but it didn't go to these lengths... so I checked the website. Sure enough...

USGBC is implementing new security features to help protect your purchased assets from being misused. These security measures will enable you to access your documents regardless of how you receive them, and USGBC to ensure you have the latest versions of purchased documents.

Once you download your Online LEED Reference Guide, you will need to authenticate yourself with our DRM server. Authentication simply means that we will request your USGBC Website user-name and password that you use to log into Your Account here at usgbc.org. Once you input your login credentials, you will be prompted with a second dialogue box asking if you wish to use this document when you do not have an internet connection. This will allow you to go "offline" with your document. Once logged in, you can disconnect from the internet and continue to use the reference guide "offline" for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will need to re-authenticate.

So basically, you have two options when purchasing 2009 Reference Guides:
1. The E-book with 30-day access to a printable PDF of the guide.
OR
2. The Hard Copy with 30-day access to a non-printable PDF of the guide. (Printable PDF versions of the reference guide are available for purchase independently of the hard copy.)