Quote:
Originally Posted by Barcey
Since ebooks were introduced the publishers complained that they weren't happy with the ebook library lending. They could reluctantly live with paper book lending because at least people had to travel through hail, snow and rain to borrow and return the books (up hill both ways) but with ebooks people could just borrow.
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Paper book library lending has absolutely nothing to do with publishers - it's not up to them to "live with it" or otherwise. Copyright law makes it legal for libraries to lend paper books. Most Western nations - Canada included - compensate authors for library loans by making a payment directly to the author per loan from the library. This is called the "public lending right" (PLR).
eBooks are different because they are licensed, and the licensor can set whatever terms they wish (provided it's not illegal under contract law).