Copyright laws don't make sense! - |Legal Forum| Is It Legal To

quinnpa · 10-04-2009, 04:35 PM

I was getting started with learning XP a while back so I bought one of those books for "dummies" online as a pdf ebook. I liked the idea of reading it on my pc as I learned the pc.

Fast forward a couple years later. I found the book on an old backup disc and since I was flat broke, I listed it for sale on ebay. I didn't think nothing of it as I've listed used regular paperback books on ebay and Amazon as well. Well, 2 days later ebay shuts down the auction and sends me an email telling me the auction vilolated copyright terms. Then the other day I got a letter from the publisher's lawyer who sent a 3 page long winded letter lecturing about copyright law and the 3rd page is a letter for me to sign and send back stating I'll turn over any monies made from the sale and pay them a $100 for their "time". LOL

Ok, let me get this straight then, if I had just printed the damn book first it's ok and not copyright infringement but if I sell it as a pdf file for $5 (which was the auction price) then that's copyright infringment and I'm liable for up to a $750 fine + profits (according to their letter) but they'll settle for a $100 money order to compensate them for their time writing a letter?!?!?!

And we wonder why the system is broke.

Judge · 10-04-2009, 10:36 PM

To sell copyrighted works that were created by another the law requires that you purchase or obtain the right to do so. Thus, for example, you must purchase a license or a permit on in some other way purchase the right to sell it from its owner.

quinnpa · 10-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

To sell copyrighted works that were created by another the law requires that you purchase or obtain the right to do so. Thus, for example, you must purchase a license or a permit on in some other way purchase the right to sell it from its owner.

So then by that logic, it's illegal to sell any used books, dvd's, cd's or magazines. Whatever happened to "fair use"?

Altare · 03-06-2010, 09:57 PM

I bet you could get sued for readng a book out loud.

10-04-2009, 04:35 PM	#1
quinnpa Law Curious Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Copyright laws don't make sense! I was getting started with learning XP a while back so I bought one of those books for "dummies" online as a pdf ebook. I liked the idea of reading it on my pc as I learned the pc. Fast forward a couple years later. I found the book on an old backup disc and since I was flat broke, I listed it for sale on ebay. I didn't think nothing of it as I've listed used regular paperback books on ebay and Amazon as well. Well, 2 days later ebay shuts down the auction and sends me an email telling me the auction vilolated copyright terms. Then the other day I got a letter from the publisher's lawyer who sent a 3 page long winded letter lecturing about copyright law and the 3rd page is a letter for me to sign and send back stating I'll turn over any monies made from the sale and pay them a $100 for their "time". LOL Ok, let me get this straight then, if I had just printed the damn book first it's ok and not copyright infringement but if I sell it as a pdf file for $5 (which was the auction price) then that's copyright infringment and I'm liable for up to a $750 fine + profits (according to their letter) but they'll settle for a $100 money order to compensate them for their time writing a letter?!?!?! And we wonder why the system is broke.

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10-04-2009, 10:36 PM	#2
Judge Senior Legal Forum Partner Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,543	To sell copyrighted works that were created by another the law requires that you purchase or obtain the right to do so. Thus, for example, you must purchase a license or a permit on in some other way purchase the right to sell it from its owner.

03-06-2010, 09:57 PM	#4
Altare Law Curious Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	I bet you could get sued for readng a book out loud.