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Originally Posted by Rob Lister
It is hard for me to wrap my head around the disconnect between lending paper and lending bits.
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Originally Posted by tubemonkey
I don't see a difference either.
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Originally Posted by murraypaul
The interest isn't different.
They probably would rather prevent their paper books being sold to libraries.
But they can't. Libraries can but a book just like anyone else can. And once they own that physical copy, they can do what they like with that single copy, including renting it out.
The difference isn't that publishers want to prevent libraries lending ebooks, it is that they can prevent them lending ebooks, while they can't prevent them lending pbooks.
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The difference, as my local librarian recently explained it to me, is quite simple. As murraypaul said, they, like anyone, can buy a copy of a pbook (or a CD) and lend that one copy to anyone they choose. No copyright violation, no copying of the media.
But to lend an ebook (or an mp3 download) to ANYONE inherently involves copying it. That would be a copyright violation.
Stuff like the DMCA, DRM systems, licencing agreements and terms of service exist to try to address that fact, protecting the IP owner's rights, while still allowing access to the material, and it adds complexity.
I'm happy libraries are interested in addressing this. Their efforts will hopefully lead to better arrangements for all our private eBook dealings as well.