Countrys where it is legal to download?

[John F]

What are the countries that it is legal to download copyrighted ebooks in?

I saw the thread on Switzerland, but how about other countries?

I ask, because I saw this posted on another forum:

http://news.cnet.com/2100-1025_3-5121479.html

Can copyrighted ebooks legally be downloaded in Canada?

[HarryT]

Hmmm.

Downloading copyrighted music from peer-to-peer networks is legal in Canada, although uploading files is not, Canadian copyright regulators said in a ruling released Friday.

The point being, of course, that if you're using a peer-to-peer network, you are uploading at the same time that you're downloading, hence this would appear to be a moot point.

[CyGuy]

That article is from 2003, no telling what has changed since then...

[Quexos]

An interpretation would be to say that what is illegal is to be the original uploader of the file in question, since you don't control the "uploading" aspect of the process when you are simply downloading such a file. Also you can argue that you did not intend to upload it, all you were focusing on was downloading a file which you did not make available in the first place ...
At least I'm sure there will be lawyers to plead this argument.

But of course I'm only assuming that this is how it works, I of course have no idea how downloading and uploading on peer-to-peer works

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hmmm.

The point being, of course, that if you're using a peer-to-peer network, you are uploading at the same time that you're downloading, hence this would appear to be a moot point.

[hrosvit]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The point being, of course, that if you're using a peer-to-peer network, you are uploading at the same time that you're downloading, hence this would appear to be a moot point.

Not entirely true for most P2P clients. The file being downloaded will not be hashed, and, therefore, uploadable to other users, until it is entirely downloaded onto your machine. You could immediately transfer the file from the download location once it is completed to another, non-shared location, preventing it from being uploaded. Yes, I realize for that tiny period of time between the completion of the download and the transfer of the file it would be available.

Alternately, most clients will allow you to disable sharing. Unlike torrents, most P2P networks don't require a person to share in order to participate.

[John F]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hmmm.



The point being, of course, that if you're using a peer-to-peer network, you are uploading at the same time that you're downloading, hence this would appear to be a moot point.

I thought uploading could be disabled? For example:

https://www.eff.org/wp/how-not-get-sued-file-sharing

Could we keep this thread on track please.

[Quexos]

How is this thread not on track so far

Originally Posted by John F

Could we keep this thread on track please.

[John F]

Originally Posted by CyGuy

That article is from 2003, no telling what has changed since then...

And it seems specific to music. So I was curious in what countries it was legal in regards to ebooks.

So let me start the list:

1) Switzerland

Any others?

[HarryT]

Germany and Spain, and probably a number of other European countries. It's definitely NOT legal in the UK or France.

[Zetmolm]

The Netherlands

[Jellby]

In Spain it is legal to download and upload, as long as you are not charging for it.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Quexos

How is this thread not on track so far

My apologies. I think I jumped the gun.

It is probably best to obey the letter of the law, which pretty much states that downloading an ebook without permission (i.e. creative commons license, purchasing it) is illegal. Anything else depends upon a judge's interpretation. That may get you off in the long run, but still leaves you prone to a lawsuit.

In the past, Canada has had rulings related to both music and print books. eBooks, I don't know. The rulings that I have heard about pretty much stated that it is okay for a person to make a copy as long as they don't distribute a copy. The rationale and limits I'm unaware of.

It is also worth considering that the law is going to change in the next couple of years.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Germany ...

Really???

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Billi

Really???

I thought that it was; my apologies if this not so.

Edit: I'm wrong. Must be getting confused with another country. Excellent news that Germany are among the "good guys" on this issue.