Digital Copyright Law question...

[captain_slinky]

Anybody know anything about Digital Copyright Law? Here's where I'm coming from, trying to decide if this is legal and/or just how legal it is...

Okay, so we know that it's legal to rip your own CD's to MP3 as long as you don't then redistribute the MP3.

Does that also translate to printed media? If I buy a new book, may I scan it in to .pdf files so that I can read it on my own personal eReader as long as I don't then attempt to redistribute the electronic files?

Apply that then to comic books. May I scan my comic book collection in to .cbr or .cbz files and use them for my own personal use?

And then the final question down this path... may I have somebody else do the scanning for me? Because if that's all legal, then I have an awesome idea for saving comic book shops across the country...

Comments

[symphonic-rp.livejournal.com]

I think what you're talking about relates to a concept called "Time Shifting," which means you can video tape something to watch it later. But it also means you can make a copy of your CD to play in the car so the master copy doesn't get messed up. This should extend to any kind of media. You should be able to make copies of it that allow you to play it on whatever device you want to experience it on.

With certain digital media this runs into a conflict with something called "Reverse Engineering," which means you can't legally make copies that defeat any copy protection that has been built in. In fact, they can legally slam you in jail just for telling somebody else how to do that. So much for freedom of speech.

Anyway, because I have eye problems, comics are easier to read on a video screen. Legally, I can copy all my comics onto my computer for my own use. But, unless they're in the Public Domain, I can't then upload them to Live Journal to share with friends, or otherwise make copies to distribute to others, either for free or for a price. I'm just very fortunate that so many of my comics are in the Public Domain.

On the other hand, if you've got an idea for a new way to enjoy something, there is this slightly more expensive concept called Licensing. But that's really only practical if you're thinking of making it a business venture.