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

submitted 9 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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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[–] [email protected] 41 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

I did my searching based on music/CDs since the wording is a lot more clear, but the same rules apply since were still talking about copyright infringement.

As long you’re making the copy for personal use and aren’t selling/distributing, you are fully in the clear:

It’s okay to copy music onto special Audio CD-R’s, mini-discs, and digital tapes (because royalties have been paid on them) – but not for commercial purposes.

https://www.riaa.com/resources-learning/about-piracy/

As far as ethical, this is mostly up to you, but unless it’s from an independent artist/distributor, I personally see it as: if you were never going to be a customer to begin with, they're not losing anything. I am, however, against then reselling it yourself. Ymmv.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 hours ago (2 children)

Oh, thanks! I have some books that is occupying too many spaces and I was wondering about it, I don't know what I'd do to the physical book afterwards though, would I still be in the clear if I donated the physical book to a public library or would be better if I somehow recycle it since it's mostly paper?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Recycling is definetly in the clear, however donating to libraries would be more meaningful; as it offers a chance for more people to read them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Would it be legal also if I had scanned it for myself only beforehand to access digitally? I also think it'd be more meaningful but the local library here gives you a form to fill if you want to donate anything so that gets me in doubt

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

Legal? Likely not, as you're turning one copy into two copies.

Would anyone pursue you? Likely not. No one is going to get a warrant to search your devices to see if you've photocopied your books before giving them away; unless you're sharing the digital files publically.

Do not share the digital files publically, as that is definetly not legal.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 hours ago

Technically speaking you’re supposed to destroy your local copy of you no longer have the original since the rights stay with the original. That being said, no one is coming to knock on your door for photocopying some books you owned and no longer own.