Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
I'd be interested to hear other people's views on the question of rented ebooks and DRM stripping. My views (at the moment) are as follows:
- DRM-stripping an ebook that you have bought is fine.
- DRM-stripping a library ebook is fine, so long as you don't keep the ebook longer than your check out limit.
- DRM-stripping and then keeping a library ebook is not OK, but probably doesn't actually cause the publisher/author any harm.
- DRM-stripping and then keeping a rented ebook is not OK, and probably does cause the publisher/author harm.
I make a distinction in the last two instances because I feel that someone renting an ebook is actually quite likely to buy the ebook instead, if it wasn't possible to keep the ebook permanently, or at least to rent it for longer than the minimum period. While I feel that someone borrowing from a library is unlikely to buy the book that they've been able to borrow.
Is there a genuine distinction between getting a library book and renting a book? Is one relatively neutral, while the other is harmful?
Thoughts, please. |
1. I agree
2. If you strip the DRM from a library eBook and keep it until you've read it and then deleted it, that would not impact others on the waiting list. But is it right?
3. It's not morally right to keep a library eBook. But no, it's won't harm the publisher.
4. I've never rented an eBook. The only ones I know of are Amazon's overpriced text books. But I do think that if you buy them, then sure strip away. But if you rent, don't strip.