Legal Question in Technology Law in Colorado

Copywrite and Internet

Hello,

I'm on an e mail group concerning old cars. There is a book, now out of print, that many of us want to read. One member has a copy of the book as a .pdf file. He has offered to share the file, but others protest saying it's a copywrite infringement. I have loaned my copy of the book to other members and no one objects. What's the difference? I believe sending the .pdf is probably a copywrite infringement, but I think no one is damaged. You can't buy the book if you wanted to.

Thanks


Asked on 2/19/06, 10:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Copyright and Internet

The difference is that distributing the pdf file amounts to making new copies of the book, while lending someone your own copy does not.

You may be right that no one would be harmed by this particular act of copying, but there are still heavy penalties you may have to pay if you do so. Copyright law applies to materials that are rare and/or out of print the same way they do to other materials.

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Answered on 2/19/06, 11:02 pm


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