Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
Okay, how's this: - How many people believe that purchasing a hardback book gives them the right to take a paperback copy of the same book for free?
- How many people do not see a parallel relationship between hardback and paperback books, and paperback and e-books?
- Bonus: How many people believe iTunes will allow you to take an MP3 file for free because you already own the CD?
(Your MP3 example does not fit this situation: Ripping it yourself from the CD you own is not the same as getting it from someone else. If you want to argue that point, scan and OCR the book yourself. And don't send a copy of the e-book to anybody.) |
IMHO, this is splitting hairs. To refute the list:
1. Hardback and paperback- we are talking physical objects here, not electronic files. This argument is nonsensical when applied to hardback vs. electronic files.
2. Any parallel relationship existing really isn't the [point here- what is in question is whether or not the consumer should be forced to pay again for a book in electronic format that he owns in paper format. If the consumer DOES acquire or make such an electronic copy, the publisher is only out money if it can be proven that the consumer would have otherwise BOUGHT that electronic copy.
3. The bonus question- has no bearing whatsoever on the legality or morality of this issue. Itunes is a pay media service, and they aren't going to let nayone take anything for free...This isn't proving any points about morality or legality. Itunes does, however, provide you with the functionality to rip cd's and to make all the backup copies of purchased content that you want. In addition, you can play these files on "5 authorized devices." That's kind of like saying "You can give this content away to 4 friends," isn't it? Shouldn't this be construed as copyright infringement? But Itunes is making a buck here, so no one is raising this issue.
Services exist that will "format shift" and back up electronic media that you give them. So, is it permissible to pay THEM to make a backup copy? Would it be permissible to have a friend make a backup copy of the media you own, to give to you?
The entire controversy here seems to be- are we, as consumers, going to have to pay one time for content or many times for the same content. Irregardless of the morality of any stance, one thing is certain- the market is going to be a whole lot smaller for ANY media if the consumer is required to pay multiple times for the same content.
If publishers take a relaxed stance on format-shifting, the market will be much larger for ebooks. If their approach is clouded by greed, and they try to make consumers pay again for an electronic version of the book they already own in paper form, most consumers will probably tell them to piss off, and the market for electronic versions will be very small.