Poll of the Day > what are your thoughts on book piracy?

(+) Yeah! (+)

given that libraries exist?

think about it, to pirate a book, someone had to buy that digital version and then strip the drm (if it has any, a lot of publishers/authors are choosing not to add drm to their books these days), and then make it public so people can access that book for free.

whereas libraries buy the book, and then an unlimited amount of people can access that book for free.
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I tend to get madder the more minute the crime is... so stealing something that's already free really bugs me
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I dont know

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It's horrible! It's illegal! I'd totally never ever pirate anything!

if someone tried to invent libraries today, mega corporations would have blocked it from ever happening despite all the benefits of free books for the masses
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http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/114391-Valves-Gabe-Newell-Says-Piracy-Is-a-Service-Problem
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I think book ninja's are soooo much better!!
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Did it all the time when I needed a text book for a class in college
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Bulbasaur posted...

given that libraries exist?

think about it, to pirate a book, someone had to buy that digital version and then strip the drm (if it has any, a lot of publishers/authors are choosing not to add drm to their books these days), and then make it public so people can access that book for free.

whereas libraries buy the book, and then an unlimited amount of people can access that book for free.

I dont know if id call it free. Super cheap but every library ive used you need a membership and that costs a few bucks. As said super cheap but not free.
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That is not how it fully works though. The libraries have contracts/agreements with publishers that are part of their annual running costs. They aren't buying specific books, they are paying to attain the books they get and have permission to lend them out.
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If you find some way of supporting the author (and possibly the artist behind the cover), but not the company, then I can't say I'd complain.
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DarkKirby2500 posted...

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/114391-Valves-Gabe-Newell-Says-Piracy-Is-a-Service-Problem

There will always be people who straight up don't want to pay for something, but for the most part I think I agree. A lot of people who loved Netflix Hulu and other services are starting to drop them in favor of less legal means now that they're getting too numerous, expensive or just not worth it to them.
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This reminded me of a co-worker I had back a while who said why do we even have libraries anymore, everything can be digital, we should close down the libraries and just burn the books :/

I didn't even bother responding because some people just think all digital is better.
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darcandkharg31 posted...

This reminded me of a co-worker I had back a while who said why do we even have libraries anymore, everything can be digital, we should close down the libraries and just burn the books :/

Someone on PotD I recall seemed very anti-libraries as well. Maybe not to the point of wanting to burn the books but definitely did not see a public need for libraries.
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There isn't enough of it tbh
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InfestedAdam posted...

darcandkharg31 posted...

This reminded me of a co-worker I had back a while who said why do we even have libraries anymore, everything can be digital, we should close down the libraries and just burn the books :/

Someone on PotD I recall seemed very anti-libraries as well. Maybe not to the point of wanting to burn the books but definitely did not see a public need for libraries.

Books aside not everyone has access to a computer and/or printer and libraries give access to those. So I can atleast see libraries shifting focus to that even if physical books as a medium dies out. And it needs to with a lot of companies going to online only applications people need a way to apply to these jobs as if they dont have a paycheck its understandable if they cant afford internet.
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mooreandrew58 posted...

Books aside not everyone has access to a computer and/or printer and libraries give access to those. So I can atleast see libraries shifting focus to that even if physical books as a medium dies out. And it needs to with a lot of companies going to online only applications people need a way to apply to these jobs as if they dont have a paycheck its understandable if they cant afford internet.

Aye. Nowadays libraries serve more than just being a place of borrowing/reading books. Some folks I know go to them still just to study for certification exams because home is too distracting and a coffee shop might still be on the noisier side.
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keyblader1985 posted...

A lot of people who loved Netflix Hulu and other services are starting to drop them in favor of less legal means now that they're getting too numerous, expensive or just not worth it to them.

I have Hulu and Amazon Prime, so I'll watch shows on those, but now every company wants to make their own streaming service, and screw that noise.

The record companies had the chance to nip piracy in the bud early on, but they had to try to rake in all the cash they could, so people turned to piracy. Book publishers charge as much or more for ebooks as for paper, so of course people are going to download them illegally. Movie piracy started going down once streaming services became available, but once again the urge to squeeze out every last ounce of profit is going to cause people to look for alternatives.
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no one has really answered the question yet
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mooreandrew58 posted...

Bulbasaur posted...

given that libraries exist?

think about it, to pirate a book, someone had to buy that digital version and then strip the drm (if it has any, a lot of publishers/authors are choosing not to add drm to their books these days), and then make it public so people can access that book for free.

whereas libraries buy the book, and then an unlimited amount of people can access that book for free.

I dont know if id call it free. Super cheap but every library ive used you need a membership and that costs a few bucks. As said super cheap but not free.

I've never been to a library in all the places I've lived that's not completely free (other than late fee). Some require proof that you live in the service area to get a card but you can still ask your local library to lend books from them.
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it feels lazy, i enjoy visiting my local library, and i bring donuts for the staff, ok?
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VeeVees posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

Bulbasaur posted...

given that libraries exist?

think about it, to pirate a book, someone had to buy that digital version and then strip the drm (if it has any, a lot of publishers/authors are choosing not to add drm to their books these days), and then make it public so people can access that book for free.

whereas libraries buy the book, and then an unlimited amount of people can access that book for free.

I dont know if id call it free. Super cheap but every library ive used you need a membership and that costs a few bucks. As said super cheap but not free.

I've never been to a library in all the places I've lived that's not completely free (other than late fee). Some require proof that you live in the service area to get a card but you can still ask your local library to lend books from them.

I just remember like a one time fee for a card that was super cheap. Idk card wasnt for me though so maybe they where just putting money on its account cause they do charge for printing stuff
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Bulbasaur posted...

given that libraries exist?

My thoughts are that your argument is intellectually and morally disingenuous.

Bulbasaur posted...

think about it, to pirate a book, someone had to buy that digital version and then strip the drm (if it has any, a lot of publishers/authors are choosing not to add drm to their books these days), and then make it public so people can access that book for free.

whereas libraries buy the book, and then an unlimited amount of people can access that book for free.

Your argument only works if people don't think about it. Libraries tend to buy *multiple* copies of many books for an important reason: a physical copy can only be lent to one person at a time (and they need to buy one copies as old ones wear out). And, even when it's just one copy, many libraries are doing the buying. By contrast, one pirated version simultaneous grants permanent ownership to an unlimited number people, including *other* pirates. And, unlike a library, that circulation is virtually never-ending whereas library books can potentially be lost/destroyed and less popular titles are sold.

https://litreactor.com/columns/how-libraries-acquire-books-because-most-people-including-digital-piracy-advocates-dont-seem
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i doesn't matter how a library obtains the book though.

the point is is that it's the same as illegally obtaining an ebook.
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Bulbasaur posted...

i doesn't matter how a library obtains the book though.

the point is is that it's the same as illegally obtaining an ebook.

wat
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I'm sure publishers make a killing off the $200 college books they "revise" every year anyway.

Otherwise, I doubt the average person who reads books for fun really knows or cares about piracy.
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I dont like digital books so if I can help it, I will try to get a physical copy of a book. If its a textbook, I dont really feel bad about people pirating it, especially if its one of those overpriced freshman level textbooks that has a new edition every year.

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Broken_Zeus posted...

My thoughts are that your argument is intellectually and morally disingenuous.

In his defense everything you say is disingenuous. Like the gen about ya being a liberal centrist.
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i was never that big on treasure island.
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More people need access to more books than to other pirated materials.
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only one person has actually answered the question

and schoolbooks weren't even mentioned so why they were brought up is beyond me??????????
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wolfy42 posted...

I think book ninja's are soooo much better!!

need before greed!
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Literature, music, paintings, and even video games are all forms of art. Unless commissioned to produce a certain piece it's a Laissez-faire endeavor. As such there shouldn't be any legal restrictions or protections on it.
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This guy thinks Librarians are are stealing books lma
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darcandkharg31 posted...

This guy thinks Librarians are are stealing books lma

point out where i said that though
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