On 1/14/00, Xiao Jinhong <limabean[_at_]pobox.org.sg> wrote:
>
> On Thu, 13 Jan 2000, Laurie Urquiaga <urquiagal[_at_]lawgate.byu.edu> wrote:
> >
> > What about a subscription that comes electronically that is
> > stored on a network in such a way that it can be viewed by only
> > one workstation at a time? There is no transformation of the work
> > involved, and without multiple simultaneous users, where's the
> > infringement?
>
> When a computer "views" the PDF file stored on a network, it would be
> making a copy. Therein lies the infringing act (subject to defences,
> including fair use).
But that can't be right. Surely, the subscription for the pdf file includes the ability for one person to view it on his computer. Otherwise, what good would the subscription be? Viewing of any kind requires copies to be made in one's computer, so that copying cannot be infringement. It would be like subscribing to a normal hardcopy magazine that comes in an opaque brown envelope, but you're not allowed to open it. The issue is whether there can be "shared" viewing from another location other than the one computer.
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