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The problem is there are conflicting laws on the books (in the US). There is a fair use exemption to copyright law, and then there is the god awful DMCA.
Copyright law is mostly civil law. If you violate copyright you would usually get sued, not be charged with a crime. Sorry, but in copyright suits, these don't apply the same way or at all. It's mostly which side and set of evidence the judge or jury accepts or believes more, though the rules vary based on the type of infringement. In civil cases you can even be made to testify against your own interests. Exception: in the USA, a commercial copyright violation involving more than 10 copies and value over $2500 was made a felony in the 1990s.
So most of us ebook owners using calibre to modify books for personal use will likely never get found out or need to worry as long as we do not share the files themselves... at least until big brother decides everyone is required to be monitored at all times...
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