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Just making sure

by dkbiz92
8 replies
If someone posts in threads that they are giving away free ebooks and i download it does that mean i can share it? Most of them are not copyrighted and i am not changing the content within them or passing them as my own. I am posting the name and who it is by(from the creator) Im just wondering if i can put them on free file sharing sites since i got them for free too.
#file #making #sharing opinion
  • Profile picture of the author Rsberg
    That would depend if the original creator allows this or not. Usually an eBook will have the permissions (what can or can't be done with it) in it somewhere.

    Don't automatically assume that it's OK to share it because the creator probably has an optin to get it, if you share it on a file sharing site then the creator misses out on all of those sign ups to his list.
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  • Profile picture of the author dkbiz92
    none of these reports seem to say what i can do with it or not. They don't event mention if they are copyrighted. I am giving credit to them next to the link where the free ebook can be found too.
    Technically i am driving more traffic to their ebook that's free anyway so i don't see why they would have a problem with it too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Burton
    Technically, it's copyrighted even if there isn't a notice on it.

    Although the lack of notice can sometimes affect the outcome if the original author brings suit over it. As soon as it was put into a fixed form (i.e. as soon as it was written or recorded), in the US at least, copyright automatically does exist, it just isn't automatically registered, and the lack of notice of copyright, can contribute to loss of copyright, but does not mean it is not copyrighted.

    I would recommend finding the original author and getting their permission. Because it's possible it was shared illegally. And if the original author is who posted it to be given away that you received it from, it should be easy to get in touch with them to make sure whether they give you permission.

    Originally Posted by dkbiz92 View Post

    Technically i am driving more traffic to their ebook that's free anyway so i don't see why they would have a problem with it too.
    Potentially a catastrophic assumption. Even if they are giving it away, it is still their right to decide who is giving away copies. While they may not care, you're a hundred times safer asking.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rsberg
      Originally Posted by Scott Burton View Post


      Potentially a catastrophic assumption. Even if they are giving it away, it is still their right to decide who is giving away copies. While they may not care, you're a hundred times safer asking.
      Exactly!

      Also, as I said...you giving it away somewhere may be taking away from the original creators list building efforts if others can simply download it without opting in.

      Better to ask to be sure.
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      • Profile picture of the author dkbiz92
        Originally Posted by Rsberg View Post

        Exactly!

        Also, as I said...you giving it away somewhere may be taking away from the original creators list building efforts if others can simply download it without opting in.

        Better to ask to be sure.
        There is no opt in or anything. Just a link to download it. I'll make sure to ask anyway. thank you
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  • Profile picture of the author dkbiz92
    Thank you Scott for that bit of information. I need to make sure i am not overstepping and boundaries
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  • Profile picture of the author henrylee
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Originally Posted by henrylee View Post

      It's probably copywrited. On a small scale, it's not a big deal.
      Copyright infringement is the equivalent of shoplifting. It's wrong whether you steal one grape or a bunch of grapes.

      Just because you got something for free does not imply in any way, shape or form that it is okay for YOU to give it away. Attributing the creator does not make it right if you don't get permission from them first.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Burton
    As a publisher, editor and author of digital and hardcopy content, I have had experience with copyright law, but I do not claim to be an expert in the matter.

    But the simple answer is, without express permission of someone with the right to grant permission (depending on circumstances this may be the author, the publisher or some other assignee or in some cases licensee) it could turn into a very nasty situation if the copyright owner disapproves.

    As has been repeated, permission is important.


    Originally Posted by Perdue University

    http://www.lib.purdue.edu/uco/CopyrightBasics/penalties.html
    The legal penalties for copyright infringement are:
    Infringer pays the actual dollar amount of damages and profits.
    The law provides a range from $200 to $150,000 for each work infringed.
    Infringer pays for all attorneys fees and court costs.
    The Court can issue an injunction to stop the infringing acts.
    The Court can impound the illegal works.
    The infringer can go to jail.
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