Is using the Calibre content server illegal?

J_statt · 10-24-2019, 01:59 PM

I was wondering if using the content server was illegal. Will my ISP come down on me for using it? After all its basically hosting your own little torrent site for your friends to read and download books from.

Just wondering, thanks for any replies in advance.

theducks · 10-24-2019, 03:17 PM

Legal?
There are 2 things that come into play:
1) It is not the Content server that may have issues. It is WHO CAN access it. That may be a Copyright violation . (A definite Legal issue)

2) What are the ISP RULES on running a SERVER from your account? (A contractual issue)

J_statt · 10-24-2019, 03:44 PM

Well, I can set whoever I want to access it, which is anyone I give a password and username to. Of course, I'd also have to give them the link to access the server. And as far as I know, there isn't any rules against hosting a server on my internet. I've done it before, though it was years ago and it was a Counter-Strike server. Which probably has drastically different rules to a server like this.

ilovejedd · 10-24-2019, 04:00 PM

The question is what books are you hosting?

Public domain? No issues whatsoever.

Books still under copyright? Houston, we have a problem...

Calibre server, like torrents, is simply a tool so in and of itself, it's not illegal. It's what you do with the tool that matters.

dwig · 10-25-2019, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

The question is what books are you hosting?

Public domain? No issues whatsoever.

Though "Public Domain" has to be defined carefully. The works need to be in the public domain in the particular jurisdiction where the server is located and appropriate disclaimers should be presented to users as to the potential for violations if the users aren't also located in a jurisdiction where the works are also in the PD.

10-24-2019, 01:59 PM	#1
J_statt Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: none	Is using the Calibre content server illegal? I was wondering if using the content server was illegal. Will my ISP come down on me for using it? After all its basically hosting your own little torrent site for your friends to read and download books from. Just wondering, thanks for any replies in advance.

10-24-2019, 04:00 PM	#4
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	The question is what books are you hosting? Public domain? No issues whatsoever. Books still under copyright? Houston, we have a problem... Calibre server, like torrents, is simply a tool so in and of itself, it's not illegal. It's what you do with the tool that matters. Last edited by ilovejedd; 10-24-2019 at 04:03 PM.

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10-24-2019, 03:17 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,799 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Legal? There are 2 things that come into play: 1) It is not the Content server that may have issues. It is WHO CAN access it. That may be a Copyright violation . (A definite Legal issue) 2) What are the ISP RULES on running a SERVER from your account? (A contractual issue)

10-24-2019, 03:44 PM	#3
J_statt Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: none	Well, I can set whoever I want to access it, which is anyone I give a password and username to. Of course, I'd also have to give them the link to access the server. And as far as I know, there isn't any rules against hosting a server on my internet. I've done it before, though it was years ago and it was a Counter-Strike server. Which probably has drastically different rules to a server like this.