Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcard
I'll make it easiest 
Format shifting in the US is considered creation of a derivative work.
IF you do not have permission of the copyright holder to shift formats, then what you are doing is technically illegal.
An example of this is modern CDs do contain permission to rip for personal use (or in some cases will contain the MP3s themselves). If you check on record company websites , you see they give blanket licenses to do such.
Right or wrong in your or my opinion, you asked whether it was legal to download a book you own.
No.
It is not. |
I think the permission is a little broader than that. Certainly certain types of format shifting are legal. For example recording a Television broadcast into either analog or digital media is legal provided that copies of said broadcast are for personal use only.
As far as I know, the same might be true of books. However, once said copies are distributed for any reason, I think it is crossing the line. Now, I doubt if you make a copy and give it to your parents or a friend that it is going to be worth the while of the copyright holder to sue you for copyright infringement, but that doesn't mean it is legal.
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Bill