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An Ethical Question Regarding Ebooks

Posted by kdawson on from the cui-bono dept.

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."

8 of 715 comments (clear)

  1. well..duh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    GenX : read the pirated version and say 'fuck you' to the copyright police.

    1. Re:well..duh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      There is some law built into us here in slashdot that says you can post two insightful paragraphs and have one final paragraph thats goes too far and reveals the posters ignorance about the subject. I've even seen myself do it without even thinking. Just an observation.

  2. Re:Gen X says.. by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 4, Funny

    There is nothing more pleasurable than searching for old books in a second hand book store.

    Um, Sex.

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  3. Re:Best use of the Kindle by stonedcat · · Score: 5, Funny

    you DO know that this violates copyright law, right ?
    you have no right to reproduce a copyrighted work without reproduction rights from the author.

    You should work for the MPAA or RIAA.
    Seriously mate, they would love you.

    --
    You can't take the sky from me.
  4. Re:Pirate the book by Dan541 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The ethical thing to do would be to keep seeding.

    --
    An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
  5. Re:What's the difference here? by bigjarom · · Score: 2, Funny

    It is our duty as citizens to follow the laws, to follow the moral contract made by our ancestors who founded the country and the sovereign people among which we live now

    You've apparently had too much USA Kool-Aid.

  6. Re:Best use of the Kindle by FLEB · · Score: 4, Funny

    so you are stealing from the original book buyers. That's not a huge deal.

    Like hell. You come to my yard sale and try that, you leave missing an arm.*

    * This message sponsored by the International Association of Internet Tough Guys. All talk, no Action: ITG.

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    Information wants to be free.
    Entertainment wants to be paid.
    You just want to be cheap.
  7. Re:Gen X says.. by StreetStealth · · Score: 3, Funny

    In a second hand book store?!

    That's some fetish.

    --
    Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear