Quote:
Originally Posted by iandix
thankyou jl_carter and tubemonkey two very useful and informative posts. I think this should put an end to 90% of the debate on this thread... just one or two inflexible types might refuse to bend ..or might read only the bits they like :-) But as far as I am concerned these have put the nail in the coffin of this debate.
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Which debate?
There's been lots of debate over questions and positions besides whatever the courts have ruled.
We've got:
- Technical debate (Can I?)
- Legal debate (May I?)
- Ethical debate (Should I?)
Here are the basic questions, I think
(My answers in italics.): (I won't include the option to use Kindle's PID to read a Mobipocket on a Kindle, which doesn't break DRM or the expiration function. I doubt anyone would say that's either illegal or unethical.)
Can I read epub-based library books on a Kindle?
1. Is it possible?
Yes, if you can convert the book to mobi.
2. How hard is that to do?
About as hard as setting up and using Adobe Digital Editions [ADE] and getting the library book to your device.
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To determine competence, suggest setting up ADE and Overdrive (needed to get the books) and if that's easy enough, trying out calibre (great to use even if you don't need to deDRM anything). Installing and using the deDRM plugins for it is easier.
May I read library books on a Kindle if I remove them by the given time period?
1. Is it legal?
It might be a civil violation under the DCMA. Suggest asking lawyer and/or personal librarian.
Spoiler:
(It would not surprise me if it is a violation, but pending a real read and preferably a legal interpretation of how the above [MDY v. Blizzard] case relates to this scenario, I don't know if it can be said for sure. At first glance, the case looks too different, e.g., WoW seemed to show it was disruptive to their business, costing them money, and I'm reminded of the warnings in this post as well as the judicial comments by that judge and the fair use question even in this case.
Not that I would ever expect it to be ruled to be legal for library use, not least because I don't think it would get to court. I don't mind either way, since my position is a matter of ethics, and I think it's more likely they'd just remove DRM and use the honor system, as they have already done with audiobooks.)
Should I?
Definitely not if you can't be trusted to delete the book yourself.
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I say it is ethical if you delete it within the time it was given to you, some say it's not ethical even then.
So how should the frequently asked question of "Can i read library books on a Kindle" be answered?
Kindle can read mobipocket library books if you know how to get your Kindle's PID. Most library books are in epub format.
It can also read epub-based library books if you first run it through another program to remove the DRM and convert it to mobi. Try out ADE and calibre to see if you can handle the technical steps.
Ethically, you must delete the book manually when it expires, and understand removing the lock is legally questionable and you could be breaking the TOS with the library. If you know your librarian, consider asking for permission.