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When I buy a physical book, am I entitled to scan for myself? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 month ago by niko@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I don't mean to distribute, but to scan for myself to read digitally, am I allowed to do that legally and ethically when I buy a physical book or would that be totally unethical and illegal?

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[–] 13esq@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I imagine it'd be the same as printing of a copy of the Mona Lisa and putting it up on your wall for your own viewing pleasure. Completely legal.

Where as printing it off and then charging other people to see it would be illegal.

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

For work in the public domain, that's one thing, but for work which is still copyright protected, you can actually be sued for (shockingly enough) making copies of it.

Generally, though, most countries only care if you distribute copies of something (even if you're not making money off of it), but that's not to say that the concept of "distributing" hasn't been stretched pretty thin in the past.

Rightsholders have gone after businesses and private individuals just for playing sports events on radio or TV audibly/visibly enough to have an "audience", thereby infringing on broadcast rights. Even if they're not charging a thing for it. Feel free to read this and see how far the insanity goes.

If I buy a book and make copies of the pages to takes notes on, that's usually fine. But if I make a copy and give it to a friend...

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The Mona Lisa is in the public domain, so no, that's not really a good analogy for a recently published book.