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?
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.
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?
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.
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
who cares, do it anyway
Not a lawyer, and I don’t recommend asking for legal advice on a random forum. From an ethical standpoint, I see it as perfectly ethical as long as it’s for personal use and you don’t give anyone access to it. With that said, if you ever sell the physical copy of the book, I think ethically you’ll have to delete all the copies you’ve made.
It is legal but in any case why do you care. If it were illegal it’s not something that would be enforceable or something they’d be likely to “catch” you for, and it’s definitely not unethical. Everyone should be free to do whatever they want with published literature.
We’re entering a new world where local AI scans your photos and tells on you. It’s only a matter of time before it’s used for copyright enforcement.
Most countries consider this “private copying” which is legal. Not a lawyer, you should check your country’s laws.
Unethical? Copying is not theft.
