Ok, here is a page on Fair Use. You got me wondering why I didn't think copying for personal use is part of the Fair Use laws.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
It doesn't mention copying for personal use. I'm not saying this proves that copying for personal use is or isn't part of the Fair Use laws. Seems like it might be.
I'm also pretty sure that I have read about copying for personal use, and that it is legal (in the US). I'm talking about making a backup copy of a cd, something you already own. I also think it's legal to use a copyright image in your home for your own personal use . . . things like that. You're not selling or distributing the work, and you obtained the work legally.
The laws are complicated and I have no reason or desire to spend hours and hours trying to understand them. I understand them well enough to be confident I'm not breaking them.
This is not meant to be an argument and I'm not going to get into it. It's only meant to show you the spirit of Fair Use. The page talks about using
portions of works, for reasons such as research and education, and only in ways that are non-commercial and will not infringe upon the market for the copyrighted work (why illegal digital books are illegal; plus the fact that only a portion is considered fair use, not the entire work).
The page suggests that if in doubt, you should get permission from the copyright holder.
If you are honestly interested in learning about copyright, you'll go research it for yourself; if you're not, nothing I can say will convince you. And I'm not an expert anyway.