Do you pirate books and why?

[cjr72]

Originally Posted by Apache

Bookstores can send the cover back of unsold paperback books and get a credit. They are supposed to destroy the book. Some stores have been known to sell the books without covers to used bookstores and flea markets.
Apache

Yeah there was a 'bookstore' in a farmer's market near where I grew up that had books with the covers ripped off. As a little kid I wondered what they had against the book covers.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by Redcard

I think also, people should think about their votes in the context of the place where they live and the legal requirements/standing.

In the US, as I've said, DMCA bans removal of DRM. It considers that piracy. So while you may feel stripping the DRM off the books is morally different than just downloading 3Gig of Ebooks you never intended to buy.. in the eyes of the law (in the US), you're still a criminal. The only difference is how many times you are a criminal.

I think for honesty's sake, and because the government is the one with the guns who will put you in jail if you break their laws, that people should answer this question not on the basis of their own morality, but on the basis of the governments they live under.

Just my thoughts, though. I think it'd show a lot more people pirate.

I obtain all my ebooks legally and I strip DRM on pretty much everything anymore, for personal use (not sharing). So I guess I'm a pirate. ARRRRRRRR me hearties!

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by latepaul

A number of my paperback books have this inside the front cover:



Quote:
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

A number of my EBOOKS have this in the front matter, too, along with the "dont-buy-with-removed-cover" warning. Which is just frankly ridiculous.

[soulfuldog]

I voted once in a while - I downloaded a few books when I first got my Kindle to "try it out" but since then just one that I already own a copy of and isn't officially available in ebook format. I'm not sure I can say I will never download any books in future, but while I wouldn't pay what I feel are OTT full retail prices for an ebook, I'd prefer just to wait until it comes down to a more reasonable price than get a pirated copy.

If everyone downloaded books for free, nobody would bother writing them. For music there is always the argument that groups can make their money via concert sales, merchandise etc, how on earth are authors supposed to earn a living if so many people think they should be able to read their books for free?

Edited to add: I strip the DRM from most of the books I buy though, and I've borrowed some epub books from the library and converted them to read on the Kindle, I guess that counts too!

[calibrated]

Originally Posted by Joykins

I obtain all my ebooks legally and I strip DRM on pretty much everything anymore, for personal use (not sharing). So I guess I'm a pirate. ARRRRRRRR me hearties!

Run up the Jolly Roger!

[cghipp]

I voted "no" because I don't think stripping DRM for personal use on the device of my choosing is pirating, any more than it is pirating for me to convert a CD to MP3 so I can use it on my iPod, or to burn MP3s to a CD so I can listen to them in the car. (That said, I've been surprised at how few of my ebook purchases are DRM protected.)

I don't avail myself of books, music, movies, etc. that I haven't paid for, and I am disgusted at how many people have no problem doing so, simply because they want to and they can.

I haven't given serious consideration to whether I would (illegally) download an ebook if I already own the book, but I'm inclined to not do it. If I did , and I wanted to give away or sell the physical copy, I would feel obligated to delete my digital copy. I wish there was an easy/inexpensive way for me to make my own digital copies of books I own, for my own use, but I don't believe there is.

I haven't yet lent any of my ebooks to other readers, and I won't copy any ebook files to just give away. I may decide to loan ebooks to other members of my immediate family, or just give them the file and delete my own. I just find it maddening that there's no good (legal) way to do this - not tied to a particular reader or software - that is analagous to lending my Dad a physical book and saying, "Hey, I just read this and I think you would like it," and when he's done with it he gives it back. This is a fundamental part of the reading culture and it's unforgivable that the "powers that be" haven't figured that out. I should be able to click a button on my reader/reader software, enter a name/email address and a lending period, and be done with it - just like the library software does.

[BenBanned]

[QUOTE=l_macd;1949433]

If everyone downloaded books for free, nobody would bother writing them.

[QUOTE]

There are a few weirdos who enjoy writing.

[Quexos]

Tss tss, now what kind of a question is that. Only bad, evil, anti-American, terrorists, heretics or hellbound people download illegally.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by cghipp

I don't avail myself of books, music, movies, etc. that I haven't paid for, and I am disgusted at how many people have no problem doing so, simply because they want to and they can.

I don't have a problem with getting books from friends or the bookdrop by my apartment's mailbox center, nor with listening to music while shopping, nor with watching movies on someone else's TV. I am glad to live in a time & place that has so much free entertainment. I can't imagine having to pay for every shred of music or literature in my life.

I just find it maddening that there's no good (legal) way to do this - not tied to a particular reader or software - that is analagous to lending my Dad a physical book and saying, "Hey, I just read this and I think you would like it," and when he's done with it he gives it back. This is a fundamental part of the reading culture and it's unforgivable that the "powers that be" haven't figured that out. I should be able to click a button on my reader/reader software, enter a name/email address and a lending period, and be done with it - just like the library software does.

We have the tech to do this--B&N came up with it first, and Amazon copied them--loaning registered books through their services, and shutting it off for the original owner during the loan. It works once per title, for two weeks only--and even that's too much for most Agency publishers.

Most big publishers refuse to allow their books to be loaned this way. They absolutely don't want more than reader per purchase.

[geormes]

No. It is illegal. On a unrelated topic, I wish they would legalize marijuana so I could try it.

[Joykins]

[QUOTE=BenBanned;1949596][QUOTE=l_macd;1949433]

If everyone downloaded books for free, nobody would bother writing them.

There are a few weirdos who enjoy writing.

"No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." - Samuel Johnson

[markbot]

Originally Posted by The Terminator

BE ADVISED THIS IS A PUBLIC POLL, OTHER PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT CHOICE YOU MADE

People pirate books because they lack integrity and are criminals.

[Ravensknight]

Originally Posted by markbot

People pirate books because they lack integrity and are criminals.

Good thing none of your ancestors were part of the Underground Railroad, or how could you go through life knowing you came from people who BROKE THE LAW!?!?!

[hidari]

most people break the law in some form or another every week. The amount of people the illegally cross roads, run stop signs, make illegal U-turns in cars..... endless.... We must be all criminals...

[xg4bx]

i engaged in an act of "piracy" this morning.

i've had a book series on my shelves for years. today i decided i'd like to read them only to discover that the print is way too small for me to read comfortably. so to avoid paying another $40 for something i already own i snagged the ebook versions. i don't own the newest novel so i didn't take that one, i was at least honest in my "thievery".