[Slight OT] TDPL in Russia

[Steven Schveighoffer]

On Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:36:44 -0400, retard <re at tard.com.invalid> wrote:

> Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:35:32 +0400, Stanislav Blinov wrote:
>
>> Author may not lose anything, but she actually doesn't gain what she
>> could, so yes, this is stealing. Pirates steal profit (and often
>> prestiege as well), profit that may have paid off spent time, nerves and
>> money. And torrent user is not guaranteed to buy the book if *able* to
>> download a .pdf as well. It doesn't stimulate authors to share more of
>> their thoughts and knowledge when they see all their efforts are simply
>> taken away without any kind of thanks. A book is not a car, you don't
>> need to read it ALL before buying, and most modern authors and
>> publishers provide samples so potential reader may see if the book is
>> worth buying (btw, a whole chapter of TDPL was recently provided for all
>> willing), so I don't see any reasons for advertisement here.
>
> Do you think the libraries also steal from the authors? If I can't afford
> a book or don't find it important enough, I can ask the local library to
> order it and later read it for free. This also encourages other member of
> the target audience to loan the book without paying--the libraries have
> lists of most recent books and all kinds of enthusiastics subscribe to
> those lists. This is also a great way to introduce new readers to a
> topic. I've noticed that books I order get lots of attention after
> they're available from the shelves.

No, libraries don't steal, they buy their copies or are given books that  
other people have bought.  If I lent you my copy of TDPL then it wouldn't  
be stealing either, someone paid for that book.  If you have a copy of a  
book from the library, then nobody else has that copy.  This falls under  
fair-use.  You are allowed to transfer your copy of IP to someone else  
(despite what EULA's try to enforce), or lend it to them as long as you  
are not also using it.  There is a difference between copying and lending.

-Steve