MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Can I sell my K3 with my ill gotten books?

niceboy · 11-04-2010, 01:43 PM

I'm just curious in regards to karthwyne's comments... does karthwyne or others think I am doing something illegal or just plain wrong if I buy a second or third or fifth-hand paperback at a used book store? How about if I borrow a book from a library? Do people think my mom is doing something illegal if she lends me a book? What if she lends me a book she bought second hand? Is it wrong if I read a book on the shelf at a bed & breakfast or cottage resort? How about a book or magazine at the hospital?

I don't actually get how public lending libraries fit in with intellectual property rights? I am not pro illegal book piracy but I am just sincerely confused by the different standards that seem to apply to paper books and ebooks. I am wondering if people who think lending an eBook is theft also think borrowing a library book is theft. Do they think it is alright for someone to borrow a novel from the library or use a non-circulating reference book? How exactly is that not theft?

Are the above common practices in regards to paper books theft? Are they legal? Why do they seem to be socially acceptable? In the US are there specific laws that permit libraries to lend books and doctors to let people read magazines in the waiting room and church congregants to share common prayer and song books?

Is it okay for charities to send books to prisoners and soldiers to share among themselves? I just read an interview of a librarian who had worked at the Rikers Island facility... he was saying how best selling crime novels and thrillers were popular among the inmates and that the state was actually mandated to share these books among the prisoners. In the conversation there was no indication that either person thought the state was acting illegally in this.

I am honestly confused by the difference in what it seems people think is appropriate when it comes to eBooks as opposed to paper books and I would love to better understand the difference.

11-04-2010, 01:43 PM	#39
niceboy Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 14 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle	I'm just curious in regards to karthwyne's comments... does karthwyne or others think I am doing something illegal or just plain wrong if I buy a second or third or fifth-hand paperback at a used book store? How about if I borrow a book from a library? Do people think my mom is doing something illegal if she lends me a book? What if she lends me a book she bought second hand? Is it wrong if I read a book on the shelf at a bed & breakfast or cottage resort? How about a book or magazine at the hospital? I don't actually get how public lending libraries fit in with intellectual property rights? I am not pro illegal book piracy but I am just sincerely confused by the different standards that seem to apply to paper books and ebooks. I am wondering if people who think lending an eBook is theft also think borrowing a library book is theft. Do they think it is alright for someone to borrow a novel from the library or use a non-circulating reference book? How exactly is that not theft? Are the above common practices in regards to paper books theft? Are they legal? Why do they seem to be socially acceptable? In the US are there specific laws that permit libraries to lend books and doctors to let people read magazines in the waiting room and church congregants to share common prayer and song books? Is it okay for charities to send books to prisoners and soldiers to share among themselves? I just read an interview of a librarian who had worked at the Rikers Island facility... he was saying how best selling crime novels and thrillers were popular among the inmates and that the state was actually mandated to share these books among the prisoners. In the conversation there was no indication that either person thought the state was acting illegally in this. I am honestly confused by the difference in what it seems people think is appropriate when it comes to eBooks as opposed to paper books and I would love to better understand the difference.