Conversation

Notices

1. Embed this notice
   Brewster Kahle (brewsterkahle@mastodon.archive.org)'s status on Thursday, 03-Aug-2023 11:55:11 JST Brewster Kahle

   "First, the Big 5 do not SELL ebooks to libraries. Not one.

   Libraries do not own title one from the Big 5. We license them. And that makes all the difference in the world for cost, depth and breadth of collection, and preservation. Nobody should ever use the word 'sell' in a sentence combining 'Big 5' and 'library ebooks.' This is not nit-picking. It is the essence of the problem."

   And they are suing to stop Controlled Digital Lending of the books we did buy.

   https://www.readersfirst.org/news/2023/8/2/big-5-license-terms-as-of-july-2023

   • Embed this notice
     翠星石 (suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com)'s status on Thursday, 03-Aug-2023 11:55:11 JST 翠星石

     in reply to
     @brewsterkahle Indeed, but most people refuse to listen when you inform them that they're just renting x thing rather than buying it.
     
     I personally do not support how you implement digital handcuffs via proprietary software to restrict the sharing of books.
     
     You may argue that's the only way you can make books restricted under copyright available, but unfortunately such copying doesn't count as fair use under current USA copyright law.
     
     In my opinion, copyright law should only apply to commercially related or proprietizing copying, but of course the businesses that control the US government will never allow for citizens to do anything that they imagine won't make them profit.