[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by daviddem

Hi,

I am new to this forum and the world of e-books, and not a copyright specialist. I have searched the forum for the answer to this, but could not find it. I know copyright laws vary from one country to the next, but let's say "in most cases"

1) So let's say I buy a paper book. I read it and I like it. I talk about it to my friend or a member of my family, and I loan it to him. Maybe he loans me one of his books in return. Is this legal?

Yes because you actually each own the physical copy of the book

Originally Posted by daviddem

2) People part of a club or small community loan and exchange books between them. Is this legal?

Yes for the same reason

Originally Posted by daviddem

3) Same question as 1) and 2), but with e-books. Note that the people involved do NOT make copies, but loan and receive the originals from their peers. If you answer this, please don't bring DRM in as an argument, since DRM is only cosmetic and easily circumvented

Depends. If the book is not DRM protected, then you are free to exchange the e-book files.

If the book is DRM protected, and that protection is linked to the e-book reading device, then you are free to loan out or exchange e-book devices.

However, it is illegal to give DRM protected files to people who have not purchased a license to use that file.

Originally Posted by daviddem

4) If I do 3) on this board, am I going to get kicked out? If not, why is there not an e-book loan and exchange section on this forum?

Again, not if it is not a DRM protected file. If it is, then yes, I would think you probably would.