My view on the subject is this. When I buy an ebook I am buying a copy of the content, not some licensee to view it on one particular device only for as along as I own that device. That is why I will never purchase an ebook if I do not have the ability to convert it into a format, including removing DRM if necessary, that will let me read it as long as I retain the essential hardware--my eyes--and software—my brain to view it. If I can't do that I will not buy the ebook. I will go the traditional route of checking a paper copy out of the public library it it is a book I think I will only want to read once. Or I will buy a paper copy for I book I will want to read and reread.

Distributing copies to others is a whole other matter. I thought it was theft for music files in the days of Napster. I think it is theft for DVDs on bit torrent sites to day. It would be theft to “share” (after DRM removal) copies of the ebook file I purchased.

That is why I think the policy of this site (the book uploads portion) is correct in that it assumes a book is in copyright unless established otherwise; i.e. present on the Project Gutenberg site.