But instead of selling it, what's wrong with giving it away for free?
Answer:
The first two answers are correct. People think that, just because you don't sell something, you haven't violated copyright laws. That's simply untrue. Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted material is a copyright violation. Now, if you don't do it for profit, it may not be CRIMINAL copyright infringement (i.e. the FBI comes after you) but it's still infringement (i.e. the book publisher can sue you for THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS per infringement -- i.e. every copy you've made).
Now, there are exceptions for "fair use," and one of the "fair use factors" is whether the purpose is educational. Another is whether the content taken is highly creative or mostly factual. However, just wholesale copying a copyrighted book NEVER qualifies for fair use protection. Taking a paragraph or two to cite in a paper--sure. Using an excerpt to teach in a class? Sometimes. But copying a textbook to make it cheaper for your friends? No.
What's wrong is that these people make money by writing and distributing these books. By giving copies to your friends, you deprive the authors of their royalties and the publishers of their profit. Anyone ever think that textbooks are so expensive because people copy for each other--authors and publishers have to make money, and if everyone bought copies, then publishers would get more orders, receive more profit per publication, and prices could come down.
(P.S. the other answer is correct that you MAY copy the book if it is in the "public domain." How do you tell if the book is in the "public domain"? Well, it's actually fairly difficult, because up until recently, if a copyright owner didn't register, renew, or follow formalities, it was pretty easy for the work to fall into the public domain. Here are a few quick rules.
If it was published after 1976, it's probably copyrighted-- that was the time that the more modern act was enacted establishing that copyright vests without formalities for the life of the author plus a fixed amount of years, or a fixed amount of years for works for hire.
If it was published before about 1920, it's in the public domain. Now, that means the WORDs are in the public domain... if it's a work (say Shakespeare) that's been reprinted, the layout and formatting (and any annotations or the like) may be copyrighted by the publisher, so making a copy of the book itself can still be a violation
If it was published between 1920 and 1976, it may or may not be in the public domain, but if it was published by a reputable, large publisher, it's probably copyrighted, because publishers did a pretty good job with keeping up with the formalities.)
Hope that helps.
Yes it is illegal. You are depriving the publishing company of the money that they would have gotten had the person you gave the photocopies to had to pay for the book.
Copyright infringement laws. But in all honesty my friends and I did it all the time in college to save some money. As long as you are not selling the copies don't sweat it and DO NOT tell everyone about what you guys are doing.
1. Name your source.
2. Must be non-profit reasons.
3. Do not put a "false light" on the document. Do not change the meaning of the document.
4. Contact the publisher, as to usage of the text.
5. Not legal advise, without more facts; merely commentary.
how do you like the first 2 answers..
yes it is illegal
dont sweat it, we do it all the time
it is only illegal if you get caught doing it,,,ask slick willie
Yes it is illegal,if the book is copyright. But if the book is not copyright you may photocopy it.
And even if you want to photocopy thre cpyright book than you must first get the permission of its writers.
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