Do you misrepresent your address to buy ebooks?

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by jmaejr

Given the general tone and flavor of these boards I am surprised that the 'No, I feel this is wrong' option is not close to 100%

For what it's worth I never give out 100% accurate, personal information on the Internet....

Well, the other alternative is getting the book from the darket.
UK shop won't sell us anymore at all, US publishers geo-restict us...

[Sweetpea]

Yes, if a book that I want isn't available in ebook format in my region. But only on Amazon (as I already had an US-based address added there, so I could buy stuff that couldn't otherwise be bought).

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Having been a long time Kindle owner I have - as a matter of convenience - purchased my e-books on Amazon.com. Since I have bought Sony Readers and studied under the good Apprentice by the name of Alf and learned how to change my IP at will, I have also discovered, somewhat to my dismay, that a lot of e-books are actually less pricey from UK retailers. However, they are under the same geo-restrictions as their US counterparts. Since I'm not in the UK, I can't purchase from them. But since I am an accomplished liar, I am capable of untrammeling myself from the shackles of the geo-Talibans. It is a sad day when you need lies to quench your thirst for words.

I wouldn't have had to select my second address if I could buy from the EU. Last I checked the UK was in the EU. But I still can't buy ebooks from them... I don't read German or French, so I've no idea if I could buy from those countries...

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Having been a long time Kindle owner I have - as a matter of convenience - purchased my e-books on Amazon.com. Since I have bought Sony Readers and studied under the good Apprentice by the name of Alf and learned how to change my IP at will, I have also discovered, somewhat to my dismay, that a lot of e-books are actually less pricey from UK retailers. However, they are under the same geo-restrictions as their US counterparts. Since I'm not in the UK, I can't purchase from them. But since I am an accomplished liar, I am capable of untrammeling myself from the shackles of the geo-Talibans. It is a sad day when you need lies to quench your thirst for words.

Karma is heading your way

[bspline]

Being from Brazil, yes I do it.
I have two Amazon accounts, one that is linked to an US-based e-mail service and has my wife's former address in Boston.
The other one is Brazilian-based and has my current address.
I use the American account less and less, since my Kindle is registered to the Brazilian account, and nowadays I get a somewhat even deal, some stuff is cheaper than in the US, other stuff is more expensive.
But it's a hassle having to strip DRM from stuff and manually uploading, I like the ability to sync at will.

[jmaejr]

I think I need a cheat sheet to keep all this straight, based on some of the wishy washy answers provided on several recent polls.

Piracy = ILLEGAL (the author receives no money)

Piracy when you own the treebook = OKAY (even though it still is piracy and illegal; the author receives no money)

Piracy when no e-version is available = OKAY (even though it's still piracy and illegal; the author receives no money)

DRM = BAD (used to fight copyright infringement i.e. Piracy among other things)

Removing DRM = OKAY because I bought the book dammit (even though it violates the TOS and is a breach of contract)

Using false address/info to set up checking accounts i.e. identity theft = ILLEGAL (lying and fraud, results in possible jail time)

Using false address/info to enroll child in different school = BAD (again lying and fraud)

Using false address/info to buy ebooks not available in ones market = OKAY (more lying and fraud; certainly violates the TOS)

So I can use false info to buy a book that is not available in my market, strip the DRM from it and give it to my friends that own the tree version and I should be OKAY...

[HansTWN]

Legality of the TOS service must be determined by the courts. If the TOS service state that you must not remove DRM that may well be invalid, since you are entitled to make a backup copy.

And you can circumvent geo-restrictions without making any false claims. Besides, upholding geo-restrictions really is between the authors, publishers, and retailers. In the end a sale is made end everybody is happy. No harm, no foul.