Quote:
Originally Posted by Apache
Isn't removing drm from library books stealing?
Apache
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Not if it's a regular library (no tracking of reading for payments) and you delete the ebook when loan expired / "return" made.
It is copyright violation to keep a working copy of a library electronic book beyond loan period. It's simple theft to keep a borrowed physical item and refuse to return it, no matter if a library or something else.
It's copyright violation to distribute copies of a copyright book no matter if purchase price was zero.
It's not technically theft, as in stealing a paperback from a library.
However removing DRM or making a copy of copyrighted subscription material (Kindle Unlimited, Kobo Plus, Netflix, Spotify) etc is both copyright violation and theft of service. It may also result in publisher or author not getting paid. Same as watching Pay TV from cable or satellite without the legitimate subscription.
Note that penalty for copyright violation in most countries is not a set tariff but either based on copyright holders loss, or whatever their lawyers persuade a judge or jury in a civil action, but theft or "theft of service" usually has fixed maximum tariffs in a criminal prosecution.
Naturally rights holders or subscription providers prefer the civil action for copyright violation, where they get the money and costs. With criminal cases the fine goes to the State and the "victim" usually only gets the compensation of a returned stolen item.