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As far as stealing and copyright is concerned. Isn't copyright infringement just another form of stealing? i.e. stealing ideas.
As far as the physical books and lending, used books, etc. The used books (and used music) is something that I have always wondered about. The book was purchased once as a new item (where the creator is paid an appropriate percentage) but once it is sold to a seller of used items, the creator is is never compensated for that second sale are they?
I don't think it is necessarily wrong since the reality is that there is one physical copy with one physical sale that the author has been compensated on. However, it does seem like a used sale represents a potential sale for a second physical copy that hasn't otherwise occurred. Overall, I'm just expressing my thoughts, as I've purchased plenty of used books and music in the past, but it does seem like the original author or artist loses out somewhat from that seoncdary sale. Of course, the used market isn't much different than lending a book to someone since again there is only one physical copy.
It is the digital industry that makes things tricky. The ease of making multiple copies, etc. start to blur all the concepts that are simpler with physical objects. Even the idea of lending or even giving can be complicated. As shown in this thread and others it even gets more complicated when you start dealing with International Laws.
All I know, is that one's own sense of ethics is usually a good gage. I also think that a person asking a question such as the OP already knows the right answer, rather they are looking for confirmation that it is ok to go with what people generally consider wrong.
It's the attitude that has led to such a widespread problem of digital piracy. i.e. it can't be wrong if everyone is doing it.
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