Quote:
Originally Posted by Synamon
Except your imaginary Amazon and Barnes and Noble "libraries" do allow you to download a copy of the ebook you bought under license and you can keep it forever, just like a paper book you buy. DRM complicates things somewhat, but can be avoided or handled. They are not libraries, the book you bought and downloaded doesn't expire, it doesn't need to be returned, if you stop buying books from them you don't lose the copy you bought. They are book stores. Say it with me, book ssstorrresss.
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However, unlike "a paper book you buy" you can't transfer your license to read an ebook to someone else.
Also, you say you don't lose the copy you bought, but when a DRM server shuts down you may still have the bits making up an ebook, but no legal way to read it in some jurisdictions.
In fact, the very word "license" has the connotation of someone giving you permission to do something and not a right or property that you have.