08-22-2007, 12:23 PM | #16 |
Wizard
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Licenses and transfers and stufflikethatthere
There was a Microsoft case a number of years ago that relates to this talk about licenses.
The gist of the case was: 1. Person buys a computer with Windows installed on it. 2. Person doesn't want Windows but can't buy the computer without it. 3. Person removes Windows from the computer and installs <whatever>. 4. Person then puts the copy of Windows up for sale on eBay. Microsoft had the sale removed from eBay saying that they person licensed the software and that they couldn't transfer the license without Microsoft's permission. Microsoft insisted the the license was tied to the computer itself. The person argued that Windows was just a component of the computer sale (no different then the hard drive or video card) and that it could be resold just like any other component. The person won. That's why when you buy a new computer, your Windows proof of license is on that non-removable sticker that's physically attached to the computer case. I don't remember all the details of the case. It would take me a while to find them. But it does seem to indicate that you can transfer a license without permission from the owner of the eProperty. |
08-22-2007, 12:24 PM | #17 |
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Baen are definitely the "good guys" of the eBook publishing world. They deserve all our support.
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08-22-2007, 12:25 PM | #18 |
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08-22-2007, 04:20 PM | #19 | |
Books and more books
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Napster technically was such a market where people traded drm free music and we know what happened. Regarding Baen, I am a big fan and active in discussions on their forums, but let us not forget that they allow the contents of their cd's to be posted for free online since ebooks are still a publicity venue first and foremost for them, and just secondary a revenue generator. I am very curious how their e-only initiatives (Universe, Grantville Gazette - though in both cases they are issuing print copies of selected content too, and misc non Baen authors like Niven & Pournelle, Lee & Miller, and various others) will come out... |
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08-30-2007, 07:27 PM | #20 | |
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Alternatively, you can try my tool and then do what you want with the HTML (i.e. convert to LRF for reading on Reader). |
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08-30-2007, 07:47 PM | #21 | |
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08-30-2007, 08:00 PM | #22 |
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Take MobiPocket or BBeB books for example... They are tied to some sort of PID that's tied to your computer and/or your reading device(s). Now if you break the DRM and find it's legal to do so via the exceptions in the DMCA (in the USA), you have a legally DRM free book. Can this DRM free ebook then be sold to someone else?
One of the issues with ebooks is ebay. I've seen a lot of ebooks illegally being sold. I do read Star Trek books and I've seen ebooks for sale that included some ebooks that officially have never been released electronically. Another question I have .. is it legal to take books from PG, convert them to some other format and sell them? I've just found an auction on ebay for the Dr. Thorndyke books in Acrobat format. In fact, this idiot seems to be selling a LOT of PG books. http://stores.ebay.com/NicheTouche_W...QQftidZ2QQtZkm |
08-30-2007, 11:07 PM | #23 | |
Books and more books
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08-31-2007, 12:58 AM | #24 | |
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An old friend of mine is a musician and band leader, with a couple of major label albums and a slew of indie releases. He'd like you to buy the CDs, but if you dupe them and pass them to your friends, he's cool with that, too. The band has a following and makes its living playing gigs. The more folks who hear their music, the more people come to see them when they play. ______ Dennis |
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08-31-2007, 01:07 AM | #25 | |
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PG insists you remove their boilerplate if you do something like that, but there's nothing to stop you from doing it. I know a chap who takes PG etext, typesets them and adds covers, and sells them as actual printed books via print-on-demand technology. He's doing very well from it. (And expressed bemused wonder a while back when he got his statements and discovered just how well, like "Holy crap! I'm rich!". It's obvious the folk who buy the eBay seller's offerings aren't aware of Munseys or Manybooks... _______ Dennis |
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09-01-2007, 09:52 AM | #26 |
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Provided that you remove all mention of PG from them then yes, it's entirely legal. You can do anything you want with material that's in the public domain, including re-selling it.
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09-01-2007, 09:55 AM | #27 | |
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09-01-2007, 02:42 PM | #28 | |
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The answer to both of these questions is no. Now, if I can do that with a paper book I purchased, why can't I do it with an ebook I purchased? What is the difference between the paper copy and the electronic copy? The only difference I can tell is the so called "license". I really want to know if the license concept is actual law, or something that the general public was conned into accepting. |
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09-01-2007, 02:55 PM | #29 | ||
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When you convert the format of an eBook, however, you're creating another copy of the book - a "derived work" (you end up with both the original file and the new one). It would be like buying a paper book, and translating it into French, say. That's fine if it's for your personal use, but you couldn't then sell someone your translation without the author's permission. Similarly, you couldn't sell someone your format-converted e-book. Quote:
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09-01-2007, 03:09 PM | #30 | ||
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