Slashdot Mirror
An Ethical Question Regarding Ebooks
tytso writes "Suppose there is a book that you want to read on your ebook reader, but it is out of print (so even if you purchase the dead-tree version of the book used, the author won't receive any royalties) and the publisher has refused to make it available as an ebook. You can buy it from Amazon as a used book, but that isn't your preferred medium. It is available on the internet as a pirated etext, however. This blog post outlines a few possibilities, and then asks, 'What is the right thing to do? And why?' I'm also curious if the answers change depending on whether you are a Baby Boomer, or a Gen X, Gen Y, etc. — I've noticed that attitudes around copyright seem to change depending on whether someone is a college student or a recent college graduate, versus someone who can remember a time when the Internet did not exist."
2) Do you use bottled water in your toilet? Why not? You deprive poor bottled water sellers!
uuh ? NO ITS NOT.
he isnt making a copy of the second hand work he owns. its not a personal copy. he is downloading a copy from the INTERNET which is owned by SOMEONE ELSE.
this is NOT FAIR USE. He has one copy legally (second hand) and a second pirated copy. The fact that they mostly contain the same information is IRRELEVANT.
THIS IS PIRACY. ITS ILLEGAL. If he was to scan his own copy, create a pdf and use it, that would be fair use.
you dont BUY an ebook you fucking idiot. you license it. you BUY a physical book. you have no fair use rights/duplication/backup rights over electronically licensed works. because you didnt buy it in the first place. you cant print it out legally or back it up. THERE IS NO FAIR USE RIGHTS OVER LICENSED WORKS ONLY LEGALLY BOUGHT PHYSICAL WORKS.
THINK BEFORE U POST !!!111!!!
Get a fucking clue and save yourself the embarrassment.
I suppose you think IPods are illegal, good luck buddy!
An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
you people are just a bunch of FUCKING IDIOTS.
Do you even READ the fucking license that the kindle comes with ?
Kindle's license agreement grants a "non-exclusive right to keep a permanent copy...solely for your personal, non-commercial use." Consequently, Kindle users may "not sell, rent, lease, distribute, broadcast, sublicense or otherwise assign any rights to...any third party."
does this suggest SALE to you anywhere ? does it say more than ONE COPY anywhere ?
By downloading the pirated ebook, aren't you reducing the general market for the used book?
All Action Implies Increased Demand.
(not judging/flaming you, I agree: it's an interesting moral dilemma).
No, it's ok, you can admit that you're stupid and wrong too; to make it a less interesting moral dilemma.
"From DNA to P2P, we are all Copycats now. Go Go Copycat Power! Copycat Powers activate! Form of, a Copycat." --monxrtr