Discussion:
What is the name of your state? Georgia
Suppose I own a hard copy of a particular book (purchased at a store). If a third party (not the copyright owner) gives me (for free) an electronic copy of the same book, on the basis that I have already purchased the hardcopy, is either of us in violation of copyright law?
Thank you
Answer:
What is the name of your state? Georgia
Suppose I own a hard copy of a particular book (purchased at a store). If a third party (not the copyright owner) gives me (for free) an electronic copy of the same book, on the basis that I have already purchased the hardcopy, is either of us in violation of copyright law?
Thank you The third party is clearly violating the owner's copyrights, botht the right to control reproduction and the right to control distribution. The ownership of the hard copy does not give you a right to acquire, or even create, an electronic copy.
Answer:
> The ownership of the hard copy does not give you a right to acquire, or even create, an
> electronic copy.
Thanks for the reply. I'd like to ask a followup question for clarification:
With music I have a right to make a copy as a backup. Is that not also true with printed material? Can that backup not be digital?
Thanks
Answer:
With music I have a right to make a copy as a backup. That is correct. Copyright law specifically allows for the making of backup copies of computer programs and "phonorecords." The law also allows "time shifting" or "space shifting" of music and broadcast media, in other words, taping TV shows to VHS or DVD or hard drive, or ripping CD's into MP3's to play on your computer or portable music player. It's less clear whether you have the right to create "backup" copies of VHS tapes or DVD's, or if you have the "right" to copy purchased VHS tapes to DVD.
Is that not also true with printed material? Can that backup not be digital? It is not the case for printed materials. You have NO general right to create a backup copy of a printed work in any format, hardcopy or digital.