On 3/22/2000, James Roger <jetan[_at_]ionet.net> wrote:
>
> I imagine that this has been discussed before, and I have just
> missed it, but what happens to the first sale doctrine on the
> internet?
I have not downloaded the reader or the e-book, but I suspect the user agreement for one or both of these files might restrict transferability of the e-book (in addition to the technological transfer restrictions that are built-in and apparently pretty stringent). However, if the agreements do not attempt to override the first-sale doctrine, then shouldn't someone who downloaded the e-book be able to give or sell it to someone else without violating copyright law? (Of course, who wants to give their laptop to someone else just so they can read a free or cheap novella?!)
Interestingly, the web site for the reader (http://bookstore.glassbook.com/store/downloadreader.asp) provides information about an enhanced version that allows for "Giving and lending of e-books to other Glassbook Reader Plus users." I do not know anything about the extent of this "giving and lending."
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