Re: [NTLK] Terry Pratchett Newton Books

On Tue, Aug 15, 2006 at 07:32:15AM -0700, Christopher Lee wrote:
> I tend to agree with you here to some extent, Martin; however, as a
> community, it behooves us to be as aboveboard and legally responsible as
> possible. It is most likely not in the best interests of the Newton
> community to ask for (or provide) Newtonbooks or text files of
> copyrighted material...tends to be like blood in the water to lawyers.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: newtontalk-bounce@newtontalk.net
> [mailto:newtontalk-bounce@newtontalk.net] On Behalf Of Martin Queen
> Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:18 AM
> To: newtontalk@newtontalk.net
> Subject: Re: [NTLK] Terry Pratchett Newton Books
>
> Yeah but hey I've spent 15 quid on the each of the last 15 novels the
> week they came out on hardback so I think Terry being a very resonable
> man would not be all that fussed about me having a newton book copy of
> Mort of the Light Fantastic.
>
> Copyright is way too overblown by some people in my humble opinion.
> Its like getting upitty about being 5 miles per hour over the speed
> limit. Fair enough your not supposed to do it but hey everyone does and
> if you get caught then fair cop.
>
> My own opinion I hope I don't get flamed for it.
> >>From: Robert Masters
> >Alas, being very much in copyright, you would need to get permission
> >from either Pterry or his publisher to do so.
> >Or wait 50-70 years.

Okay ... I see I have some work to do here.

Fair use doctrine in the US does not explicitly permit media shifting.
Indeed, there is a substantial amount of case law prohibiting it. It
does permit the copying of small portions of a work for the purpose of
review or research.

And copyright is not too overblown. If you get caught, it will likely
bankrupt you. If you involve others, it will bankrupt you for the rest
of your life. And maybe them as well.

OTOH, Pterry is pretty approachable, and if you make the request in a
reasonable way, he may agree - although he may have a pre-existing ebook
contract with his publisher that prevents him, in which case he may ask
you to contact them.

-Rob

-- 
Rob Masters.
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