|
To address the more practical aspects of the matter, we do know that Kindle devices and apps send information to Amazon, but we do not know exactly what is sent. Amazon certainly appreciates the value of data. I would be quite surprised if Amazon did not gather some information on side-loaded books, if only to track what ebooks its customers choose to buy elsewhere, or should I say acquire elsewhere. The minimum information I expect they would gather is numbers of books, but I would not be at all surprised to find that they gather very detailed information on each book. It would be difficult to identify whether such books are pirated or acquired legally, though it would certainly be possible in some cases. I have not heard of a case where Amazon has identified a pirated ebook on a Kindle let alone taken any action. Nor Kobo or any other company making ereaders. I don't think the chances of them doing so are particularly high, at least at the moment. But the fact is if you do put pirated books on these devices and apps you are taking a risk which we simply don't have the information to quantify. Irrespective of any morality it is therefore a risk best avoided. Most ebooks have become very affordable, and for those that aren't the library systems are very good. Why take the risk?
|