Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Because, as I explained in the previous message, when you cut down a trade paperback you are doing nothing other than physically altering the medium - the paper - and you own that; you can do whatever you want to it.
When you convert a file format, you're creating a NEW file - a "derived work". At the end of the process, you have two files; the old and the new.
As I said, nobody's going to prosecute you for doing this, but it's akin to, say, photocopying a book. You're creating a second copy in the process, which you don't have the right to redistribute. You can, on the other hand, freely give away or re-sell your cut-down paper book.
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I wasn't going to get into this discussion, but I have a question about your opinion about converting from one format to another.
Format shifting has been accepted as fair use here in the states for a few decades now. So, when people would shift formats from Vinyl to Cassette, or even CD to cassette, they were creating a new copy of a song. Again, this has been accepted as fair use in the states for quite some time.
Why should the rules change for a file on an electronic device? Whether digital or analog, a new copy exists. Why is it okay for analog, but not digital? (assuming that it is done for private use, not for distribution)