Library question - audio books to ipod

[Alex]

Definitely not legal; without specific license two copies are being made from one purchased copy. Theoretically it could get libraries into trouble if they are shown to be aware of it and doing nothing to prevent it (for this reason one library I worked at didn't prevent a patron that came in an photocopied an entire textbook but they could not use our for-fee retrieval-and-copy service for that purpose).

Many libraries over the years have tried to work out deals to allow electronic copying and distribution but I don't know if any have had broad adoption yet.

But I have seen many people not even bothering to momentarily check out the books. They just sit in a carrel with a laptop ripping them directly in the library.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Alex

(for this reason one library I worked at didn't prevent a patron that came in an photocopied an entire textbook but they could not use our for-fee retrieval-and-copy service for that purpose).

That was always the Kinko's policy too. They never policed people using their self-serve machines, but they wouldn't do any of their behind the counter copy services on copyrighted materials.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Alex

(for this reason one library I worked at didn't prevent a patron that came in an photocopied an entire textbook but they could not use our for-fee retrieval-and-copy service for that purpose).

Isn't it considered legal to photocopy X number of pages for research purposes? Or are laws being broken at colleges all across the country?

Or should I say "were being broken" as I wonder how much of this practice still exists in the age of the interwebs.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Isn't it considered legal to photocopy X number of pages for research purposes? Or are laws being broken at colleges all across the country?

"Fair use" exists as a defense to claims of copyright infringement, but there's no absolute definition of "fair use". It's not just about how many pages you copy. There are a whole bunch of factors that go into assessing fair use, and it's basically done on a case-by-case basis.

And it's not that "fair use" is a legal right - it's a defense.