[Greg Anos]

This is a most frustrating area of law, in part because it is a most frustrating area of moral definition.

Fair use exists, but proving it was fair use could be difficult.

For example. I am in the US, so US law applies (I hope). I rip a legally purchased CD that is in my possesion. So far legal, with case law to back me up now. If I then sell, or otherwise dispose of the original CD by, say shredding, or lose it in a fire, did I suddenly become a criminal? No answer.

Another example, I buy a legal copy of an e-book. 10 years later, how can I prove I bought it and not "pirated" it? Especially if "pirated" copies of the purchased e-book (bit identical) are in existance? No answer.

Third example, I scan a copyrighted book into an e-book. I use a paperback that I tear apart to facilitate the scanning. Do I have to keep the loose pages to provide proof I own a physical copy of the book? No answer.

That's the problem today. Most of the digital copyright questions end up in No Answer.