Recently there was some discussion regarding accessing pirated books online and I wanted to start this thread because I thought it was an interesting issue.
Before I begin, let me say that I want authors to get everything they deserve for their hard work! I know what it’s like to pour oneself into a project in hopes that it will one day translate into a viable career choice. Please don’t cyber-stab me or anything.
What’s the difference between accessing books for free on the internet and going to the public library and accessing the same book for free? Furthermore, if I wanted to photocopy an entire book and give it to a friend, I could do that—it is not illegal. In fact, libraries have photocopiers in their buildings so that you can make copies of whatever you want. It is illegal if you make a profit on the copied material (but like most file-share sites, there is no cost involved.)
I’m just curious about what others think on this issue.
As a side note: many new artists (musical) have said that they experienced increased recognition and increased sales due to mass downloading. Arguably, an author’s notoriety will increase for their second or third books if the first one experiences mass recognition (even if that recognition is not translated in physical sales).
Before I begin, let me say that I want authors to get everything they deserve for their hard work! I know what it’s like to pour oneself into a project in hopes that it will one day translate into a viable career choice. Please don’t cyber-stab me or anything.
What’s the difference between accessing books for free on the internet and going to the public library and accessing the same book for free? Furthermore, if I wanted to photocopy an entire book and give it to a friend, I could do that—it is not illegal. In fact, libraries have photocopiers in their buildings so that you can make copies of whatever you want. It is illegal if you make a profit on the copied material (but like most file-share sites, there is no cost involved.)
I’m just curious about what others think on this issue.
As a side note: many new artists (musical) have said that they experienced increased recognition and increased sales due to mass downloading. Arguably, an author’s notoriety will increase for their second or third books if the first one experiences mass recognition (even if that recognition is not translated in physical sales).