I'm sending a message to publishers.

[dmaul1114]

Because people who illegally download files are still getting to enjoy the content without compensating the creator or publishers. The only legal way to do that is to check it out from the library (who bought the copy, or received it as a donation).

It's not as morally wrong as say shoplifting a paper book as you at least didn't deprive anyone of a physical copy that then can't be sold to someone else.

But you still enjoyed someone else's hard work without paying for the right to enjoy it, and that's what "raises my hackles." If the author wanted people to enjoy it for free, it would be a free e-book.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Because people who illegally download files are still getting to enjoy the content without compensating the creator or publishers.

"illegally download" is a pretty murky area. It's not really all that clear in many places that downloading is actually illegal. Uploading usually is, but downloading is much more questionable.

The only legal way to do that is to check it out from the library (who bought the copy, or received it as a donation).

BTW, most of the material on download sites was originally bought as well. There's really not much difference between piracy and a library in that sense.

But you still enjoyed someone else's hard work without paying for the right to enjoy it, and that's what "raises my hackles."

I really don't see anything wrong with that part of it. Thankfully, there are tons of examples in the world of where you can enjoy something without having to pay for it.

If the author wanted people to enjoy it for free, it would be a free e-book.

You're talking about using copyright as a guarantee of control, which is not what it was created for.

[dmaul1114]

No need for us to get in that debate again, as we've done it too many times to agree. You know I support changing laws to give publishers and content creators more control over their products. I know you're thoroughly opposed to that.

Most people on here only care about getting their e-books and other media as cheap as possible and being able to do whatever they want with it. I'm on the other end and behind protecting the publishers and authors products.

And sure there are examples of being able to enjoy things without paying for them. But outside of libraries, publisher give aways etc. one shouldn't be able to read a book the author decided to sell (rather than give away) without paying for it. Same for music, videos and any other type of content.

Creators are free to give it away, which is easier than ever in the internet age. But if they decide to sell it, they should have the most control over it possible IMO. So again, just an agree to disagree with you and most of the posters on this and other forums.

[dyrinn45]

Well i just filed my taxes and was going to spend a lot of money on books. I had $387 dollars worth of books on my ebook wishlist from B&N alone. I trimmed out all the agency 5 books, my new total is $67.00 from B&N, and $14.00 from the sony book store.

I hope that they get the message, i know they cant say "oh man we missed out on $320" because they never new they were going to get it...but i hope in the long term their sales fall and they see what a scam this is. And that was just 320 at B&N, my sony bookstore was probably close to $100.00, so i hope others are doing this, and i hope it hurts their pocket books enough that they get out of this.

EDIT: dmaul1114 this to me is not about getting it as cheap as possible. to me it is taking some new emerging market and completely destroying it. i have seen so many books that have mmpb books up for 5-7 dollars but have the ebook price of 12+ dollars. Not to mention they are completely destroying the ability for free market competition. People will say this generates competition, but it doesn't. If every site offers the next Twilight book for the same price, how does that create competition? Exactly. So we the public are stuck with whatever publishers think the ebook is worth(usually as much or more than HC on release). And this is just rediculous

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

If they can prove that a crime actually existed.

I don't think someone can confess to something that never happened, and end up getting convicted for it. If they try to use the letter against you, just claim "oh, I just made that up to make a point, I didn't really download anything". They wouldn't have a leg to stand on unless they could show that the offense actually occurred.

But it did occur. Or are you suggesting that someone should compound the offence of copyright infringement by adding perjury to it for good measure?

If you want to "send a message to the publisher", why try to hide your downloading at all; it rather defeats the point of the exercise, doesn't it?

[rleguillow]

Originally Posted by dyrinn45

(trimmed)
I hope that they get the message, i know they cant say "oh man we missed out on $320" because they never new they were going to get it...but i hope in the long term their sales fall and they see what a scam this is. And that was just 320 at B&N, my sony bookstore was probably close to $100.00, so i hope others are doing this, and i hope it hurts their pocket books enough that they get out of this.

Nope, they never knew they missed out - but you could tell them. Every time I spend money over at Baen (which I do frequently), I sent an email to Sony using the customer service address on the ebook site similar to the following:
I just spent $xxx over at Baen buying ebooks. I could perhaps have gotten them from you, but you use DRM and I don't buy ebooks with DRM. Not because I want to do anything illegal with the ebooks, but because I want to be able to read them on any reader I choose to buy, whether it is a Sony or not. Not being able to do that is like having to buy my hardbacks all over again every time I move to a new house. Consider whether Apple has lost money since removing DRM from their music - and then consider whether DRM is doing you any good.

No, I never get a response. But it doesn't take long to send such an email, and unless we tell them they are losing money by their practices, they may never get the idea that they are not using best practices.

Besides, it makes me feel better. My small contribution to the war effort.