Internet Archive responds: Why we released the National Emergency Library

Post by Noos » Tue, Mar 31, 2020, 5:42 PM UTC

yesenadam wrote: post #67

geofft wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not a publisher or an author (I'm an SRE, I've never made income from the sale of anything I have copyright from, and I've many times been on the side of fair use as a hobbyist musician) and I'm willing to make that claim. It's as straightforward, IMO, as the claim that not tipping is stealing. Yes, technically, it's merely not giving them money that they expect, it's not taking money they already have. But the p…

> I'd also like to live in a world where waitstaff didn't rely on tips to make minimum wage, let alone a living wage. I don't. You do, mostly. I believe it's just the USA where obligatory "tipping" is a thing. I learnt a bit about the history of tipping from Adam Ruins Everything S01E05 Adam Ruins Restaurants, highly recommended. Excerpt about tipping, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k (Yes, his style is a…

Post by musicale » Tue, Mar 31, 2020, 6:23 PM UTC

Zonulet wrote: post #117

phendrenad2 wrote: post #12

Anyone know which authors have opted out? It would be interesting to hear their reasons why in their own words.

I am an author with three books on there, and I've just emailed them to opt out. One reason authors are fine with libraries lending out their books for free, electronically or otherwise, is that borrowing a library copy is always a little bit less convenient than buying your own – with waits for availability and so on – which gives readers an incentive to pay if they can afford it. Once the library experience is almo…

Post by cafard » Tue, Mar 31, 2020, 10:29 PM UTC

SAI_Peregrinus wrote: post #139

pergadad wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having a home library has many more functions than just storing books you've once read. It's a signaling device; it's a way to show your character:; it's a way to have a possibility to share materials with others; it's a way to show your children your values; it's a reminder of things you've learned; it's soothing for many to have books around; they can be a useful reference or inspiration; ... Books are not just a t…

My home library is mostly of two sorts: reference books I might need (field guides, math/engineering texts, knot books, etc) and books I haven't read yet. After all, who wants a library full of books they've already read? If I particularly like a book and expect I'd re-read it, I'll keep it, but the rest I donate.

Post by boomlinde » Wed, Apr 01, 2020, 11:03 AM UTC

toyg wrote: post #110

leephillips wrote: post #100

This response by the Internet Archive focuses on easily refutable claims, such as that they acquired their books illegally, while sidestepping the one substantive issue: that they had no legal right to replace the controlled digital lending process that they had been following with uncontrolled lending. This is what so many authors and publishers are objecting to; and they are right to point out that this resembles s…

It’s not “uncontrolled” - borrowing only lasts two weeks. They say so in the post.

Post by chj » Thu, Apr 02, 2020, 8:56 AM UTC

SAI_Peregrinus wrote: post #139

pergadad wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having a home library has many more functions than just storing books you've once read. It's a signaling device; it's a way to show your character:; it's a way to have a possibility to share materials with others; it's a way to show your children your values; it's a reminder of things you've learned; it's soothing for many to have books around; they can be a useful reference or inspiration; ... Books are not just a t…

My home library is mostly of two sorts: reference books I might need (field guides, math/engineering texts, knot books, etc) and books I haven't read yet. After all, who wants a library full of books they've already read? If I particularly like a book and expect I'd re-read it, I'll keep it, but the rest I donate.