3 ms·
I feel like it would be a good idea to have a law that says that if you failed to reprint a book for x years then it's okay for a library to digitize it forever
by makmanalp 12y ago
I feel like it would be a good idea to have a law that says that if you failed to reprint a book for x years then it's okay for a library to digitize it forever, and allow it to be used by its patrons. This happens right now in some libraries, where you digitally "check out" a copy of an ebook, which theoretically limits supply and therefore limits the harm done on publishers.
- abc3 12y agoDo you know which libraries are doing this?
- makmanalp 12y agoCambridge public library does it: http://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl.aspx http://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl.aspx edit: not the digitizing part, just the artificially-scarce ebook loan.
- abc3 12y agoDo you mean the Mass eBook project described here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/eLibrary.aspx https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/eLibrary.aspx Or is this something else the library does on its own?
- mblakele 12y agoYes, all forms of IP should have a "use it or lose it" mechanism. Work the patent or lose it. Market and enforce the trademark or lose it. Keep the copyrighted work available or lose copyright protection.