the actual copying isn't a problem, it's distribution. if i buy access to a PDF i'm not going to get in trouble for duplicating the file unless i send it to som

the actual copying isn't a problem, it's distribution. if i buy access to a PDF i'm not going to get in trouble for duplicating the file unless i send it to someone else. when someone uploads their copyrighted text to a web page they are distributing it to whoever visits that page. the browser is just the medium.