Do you pirate books and why?

[The Terminator]

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

[HarryT]

There would be only one set of circumstances in which I'd consider it ethically justifiable to pirate a book:

1. If no commercial eBook was available.

and:

2. I'd bought the paper book.

In those circumstances, I'd have no qualms about downloading a pirated eBook. However, if a commercial eBook did then become commercially available, I'd buy it.

So I'd have to answer "on occasions". Very rare occasions.

[Latinandgreek]

Methinks that not too many people will answer this poll if they do pirate books, but I would be very interested in finding out how many people do pirate books as opposed to how many purchase them.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There would be only one set of circumstances in which I'd consider it ethically justifiable to pirate a book:

1. If no commercial eBook was available.

and:

2. I'd bought the paper book.

In those circumstances, I'd have no qualms about downloading a pirated eBook. However, if a commercial eBook did then become commercially available, I'd buy it.

So I'd have to answer "on occasions". Very rare occasions.

What happened to the writer's choice not to make something available?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

What happened to the writer's choice not to make something available?

The writer is perfectly justified in not making a commercial eBook available - that's absolutely their choice. But if I buy the paper book (thus paying the author) and then obtain an eBook for my own personal use, I don't consider that to be ethically wrong. Do you? It's illegal, yes, but is it wrong?

[sbroome]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The writer is perfectly justified in not making a commercial eBook available - that's absolutely their choice. But if I buy the paper book (thus paying the author) and then obtain an eBook for my own personal use, I don't consider that to be ethically wrong. Do you? It's illegal, yes, but is it wrong?

I agree, if you've supported the author already and just want an ebook for convenience that's not really fitting the "theft" definition of piracy to me.

[Ginwen]

At Christmas I asked for an ebook, got the hardcover (even though Amazon allows you to buy ebooks, I think some people found that confusing), I found a PDF version of that book online which I converted, read and deleted--I'll sometimes read paper books, but this one was a bit bigger and heavier than I like.

I'd probably do it again as long as I actually own the book in question.

[rogue_librarian]

... other users can see the choice(s) you selected.

I'm sure you'll only get honest answers that way. Well played.

[Joy736]

I don't pirate books, because if we all did that and the authors can't make money anymore and they all decide to quit and do something more profitable: who would write books for us to read?

[spindlegirl]

ooooooooooooooooooo

[sbroome]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I'd agree here. I also have had the odd circumstance where the pirated version transcends the bought and paid for (e-book) quality. So in those cases I've not objected to receiving those. I've actually already paid for the e-book. (in some cases both the e-book and the dtb).

I very rarely buy books because I live in a place with a good public lending library though, so when I do buy books, I put my heart and soul into it.

When I want to own a book though, I will buy it or wait for a good price. I want to give my favorite authors a reason to write more books.

It's tough sometimes, because I like hardcover books (a lot actually) and there are certain books I really want when they're new, but I'm just not paying 22 bucks for a new book unless it's a certain length. But that's just one of those situations where I have to wait until it's cheaper, which is usually within several months.

[BenBanned]

SWIM does not really feel comfortable paying for anything digital, including music. SWIM actually bought his e-reader for the single purpose of reading pirated books. Swim does not feel any sort of remorse for running the high seas.... maybe it's a generational thing.
Pirating is a last ditch effort, I really perfer paper. Right now, SWIM doesnt read any "current" authors, but if he did he would buy new releases.

[Belfaborac]

I ticked once in a while, since I have about 20-25 books obtained from the "DarkNet". All are books I already own, which have yet to emerge in digital form. Once in a while I look them up in Calibre and do a search to see if they've become available as e-books. If or when I find that they are, I'll happily buy them. In several cases (though not all, I think) I have also e-mailed the authors to tell them I've done this and to say I hope their books will be released as e-books soon.

I don't consider this pirating, but for the purposes of the poll I suppose it serves as such.

[calibrated]

It all depends how one defines piracy.

I will go out of my way to find a way to pay authors and publishers for a book that I want to read, and have done so. However, when I am unable to find a copy that I can pay for, I am prepared to be flexible.

[spindlegirl]

ooooooooooo