Comments on: if an ebook is copyrighted?

By: laheira2

laheira2 — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:12:41 +0000

Ebooks are as copyrighted as print books are.

By: Brenda Coulter

Brenda Coulter — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:17:02 +0000

Tell your friend it is ILLEGAL to download that book.

She may think there’s no difference between reading it now and reading it later, since she’s not going to be paying for it in any case. But the person who posted that book online did so illegally–and anyone who downloads it is also breaking the law.

Nice people don’t steal books, even when it’s almost certain they won’t be caught and punished.

By: ck1

ck1 — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:28:55 +0000

No, I don’t think it’s okay. Libraries pay acquisition fees; even books donated to a library were paid for by the person donating them (or someone else).

Your friend would be doing something illegal. There’s something else, too. These sites that offer illegal downloads may also be including some nasty little virus or worm in the download. Even if it wasn’t illegal, it would be unwise.

There are plenty of books that are in the public domain (no longer under copyright) and available to read online or download and read offline. Gutenberg has more than 25,000 titles.

You should suggest that your friend read something else in the meantime.

If she refuses to do that, she should either borrow the book from a friend or buy a copy.

I hope that helps.