Quote:
Originally Posted by Harmon
Actually, no. Free public libraries did not exist when copyright came into existence. Further, the lending of pbooks has nothing to do with copyright, at least that I can see.
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"Distribution" of copyrighted works is covered under copyright law. Normally, the first sale doctrine exhausts the copyright owner's rights, and the buyer can distribute/lend/resell at will--but a
recent case before the US Supreme Court is challenging that right.
The 9th Circuit ruled that the first-sale doctrine applied only to items legally made in the United States. Which means that books published in other countries may not be legal to lend or resell, even if purchased legally in their country of origin.