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Author Topic: Reading a copyrighted book.  (Read 2736 times)

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Änσnymσus

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Reading a copyrighted book.
« on: August 21, 2016, 08:48:45 PM »
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    • I have a book on my computer that I am considering reading in PDF form but I do not know if it is legal or if I would be breaking the copyright laws by reading it. Amazon.com says the book is out of print so I can not buy it. I have a PDF copy but I do not know if it was legally distributed or if I got the PDF illegally. Would it be a sin to read this book?
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    Offline St Ignatius

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #1 on: August 21, 2016, 09:03:25 PM »
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    • I guess the first question would be, how did you aquire the PDF copy?
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    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #2 on: August 21, 2016, 09:08:21 PM »
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    • I'm pretty sure that if it is no longer sold than it can be stored electronically and read without any sin. Read what Fr. Peter Scott says about it. I remember that he explained it very well. It has been posted here on Cath info at least once already.
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    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #3 on: August 21, 2016, 09:10:39 PM »
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    • Quote from: St Ignatius
    I guess the first question would be, how did you aquire the PDF copy?

    I downloaded from the internet a long time ago. I don't remember where. I do not remember if I got it from a site that had permission to do so legally or if it was a pirated copy.
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    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #4 on: August 21, 2016, 09:18:34 PM »
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    • Quote from: Guest


    I'm pretty sure that if it is no longer sold than it can be stored electronically and read without any sin. Read what Fr. Peter Scott says about it. I remember that he explained it very well. It has been posted here on Cath info at least once already.

    I found something from Fr. Peter Scott where he says it is normally wrong to copy a book under copyright, but he did not say if it was still wrong when the book is out of print so it is impossible to buy the book legally (I have also not been able to find a copy used on the internet) but the book is still under copyright. I welcome any comments. I think I will ask my priest what he thinks about this next Sunday.
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    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #5 on: August 21, 2016, 09:50:48 PM »
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    • Take care of morality and your wallet, and just check it out at the library.

    If it's not available for sale or the library just get your hands on any PDF you find. I'm sure the author didn't intend for his work to fade into oblivion. If one more person can enjoy his work, I'm sure that's what he would have wanted. (and if the book isn't being sold anymore, the author is almost certainly dead).

    Just say a prayer for the author's soul if it makes you feel better.
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    Offline Miseremini

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #6 on: August 21, 2016, 10:25:11 PM »
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    • It may depend on how old the book is.
    Copyright only lasts for so many years from the last date of printing, usually 50 years, then it is in the public domain and anyone can reprint it.
    Search for the last printing date.

    There used to be a site where you could type in the name of the book and the copyright and it would give the info.  Google it.
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    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]

    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #7 on: August 21, 2016, 10:28:34 PM »
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    • Quote from: Miseremini
    It may depend on how old the book is.
    Copyright only lasts for so many years from the last date of printing, usually 50 years, then it is in the public domain and anyone can reprint it.
    Search for the last printing date.

    There used to be a site where you could type in the name of the book and the copyright and it would give the info.  Google it.

    I know the book is still under copyright. The Author is dead but the book is not that old.
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    Offline Miseremini

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #8 on: August 21, 2016, 10:41:07 PM »
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    • My previous post was in error.  I just googled " How long does a copyright last" and the following came up.

    "70 years
    All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created, but not published, before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.Mar 27, 2013"

    Sorry for the misinfo.
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    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]

    Änσnymσus

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    Reading a copyrighted book.
    « Reply #9 on: August 22, 2016, 02:42:31 AM »
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    • Quote from: Miseremini
    My previous post was in error.  I just googled " How long does a copyright last" and the following came up.

    "70 years
    All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created, but not published, before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.Mar 27, 2013"

    Sorry for the misinfo.


    This was done because Mickey Mouse was coming up for release into the public domain, and Disney was fit to be tied. So they used their considerable money and influence to get the US law changed.

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/SiEXgpp37No[/youtube]

    This 70 years only applies to the United States. Copyrights (and patents, for that matter) are not a universal, natural law truth like private ownership, exclusiveness of marriage, wrongness of murder, etc. This 70 years isn't a declaration by God regarding how long a work is under copyright. On the contrary, it's a declaration by a masonic government which was only uttered to further enrich the Disney Corporation. I don't think that morally obliges.

    Oh, and Disney is the worst hypocrite, because they ripped off so many works of art (public domain and otherwise) for virtually all of their famous movie franchises.

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6D6w8OBA6c[/youtube]
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