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this is getting a little too 'out there' for me, but I'll correct a couple of statements before I go elsewhere. 1) with many 'local public libraries' you don't need to go there to get a book. An early example of that was the Bookmobile-although that didn't actually bring the library to your house as more recent 'books by mail' library programs do. (Not all libraries have these programs. But they are available, if you look for them.) And I don't know of any library that doesn't 'retire' a copy when it's no longer in good condition. although your definition of 'good' might be more stringent than the general public's. If the book is frequently borrowed, the library will replace that 'retired' copy when funds are available.
And the second point, that downloading isn't the same as use, just doesn't make sense, unless you're downloading things to be used by other people. Of course sometimes you download something you intend to use-but then never get around to doing it. In that case the creator is just as entitled to payment as if you'd used it. Unless the site has a 'return' mechanism, and few items you can download do. (IMO it's like going to the store & buying something. Doesn't matter whether or not you actually use it, unless you return it-unused-you still need to pay for it.)
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