Don’t Lament for Convert LIT

[Gee Mont]

Maybe it shouldn’t surprise me, but the eagerness and willingness for some people to justify (“fair use and all that”) using Convert LIT and lament its withdrawal from the public availability is disconcerting.

When an ebook is purchased, perhaps it is a wrong paradigm to believe it is something to be kept perpetually. It is something to be kept and used only while you hold the key, which for MS Reader is a valid Activation on specific devices.

If you were to rent a room for a weekend from a B&B, the innkeepers will give you a key, which you can use to enter and exit the room as much as you want for the duration of your stay. Do you think innkeepers would want you making an extra copy of the key so you could came back later? Do you think it would be okay if you only made a copy for your own “fair use” such as a key for me and a key for my wife? No matter how you try to justify it, I can’t imagine any innkeeper that would think it’s okay to make copies of the room key without their approval.

But perhaps that is not a good or clear example. If you buy a ticket to a movie, that gives you the right to see it once and its only good for one person in that theater. Even if it were technically possible, would any one believe that it would be okay make a copy of the ticket for you spouse so she could get in for free with you? If you wiggle and dance with your thoughts, some people might try to justify it with an idea like “Since we are married and we hold all property jointly, making a copy of the ticket for my wife is like making a copy for me, and that would be like letting me in, so that would be fair use since I have my ticket already.” Any one want to buy that bridge to Brooklyn?

When someone purchases a DRM LIT e-book, there are terms of use that apply, namely that you can only use it for devices with Activation for that specified purchaser. If you don’t agree to the terms of sale, don’t buy it. That means it would not be fair use to convert it to different format for my wife’s Clie. Sure, I could use Convert LIT, but that would be against the terms of sale. If she wanted to read a DRM LIT title I bought, she would have to borrow my PDA or one of the other devices with Activation. It would be like borrowing a paper bound book. A book is physical object that can be shared with other people, but it only was one existence; an ebook is, by its nature, is an intangible item, and only the device licensed to read it should be shared with others. If, for some reason, all the licensed devices were unavailable, the ebooks would become unavailable. If a paper bound book were to become unavailable (maybe you left it in the subway), you don’t get to go back where you bought it from and get a new copy.

If something were to happen to my current Activations and I had to start over with a new DRM passport, I wouldn’t like losing the ability to read what I’ve already bought, but that would be the legal option. So what would be so bad if I down converted my library to no encryption? Still my own fair use, right? Not by the terms of sale. That not to say I wouldn’t, it would be so easy, and very very easy to justify, even after all I’ve said. Now what happens if someone else wants to read the ebook? Do I let them borrow a device or just let them have a copy I've made?

I think the withdrawal of Convert LIT from the public is a good thing. The DRM is certainly fraught with difficulties and could be improved and made easier for honest users, but illegal conversions—even if only used for the buyer’s idea of “fair use”—will unlikely result in better circumstances for everyone.

[Gee Mont]

Maybe it shouldn’t surprise me, but the eagerness and willingness for some people to justify (“fair use and all that”) using Convert LIT and lament its withdrawal from the public availability is disconcerting.

When an ebook is purchased, perhaps it is a wrong paradigm to believe it is something to be kept perpetually. It is something to be kept and used only while you hold the key, which for MS Reader is a valid Activation on specific devices.

If you were to rent a room for a weekend from a B&B, the innkeepers will give you a key, which you can use to enter and exit the room as much as you want for the duration of your stay. Do you think innkeepers would want you making an extra copy of the key so you could came back later? Do you think it would be okay if you only made a copy for your own “fair use” such as a key for me and a key for my wife? No matter how you try to justify it, I can’t imagine any innkeeper that would think it’s okay to make copies of the room key without their approval.

But perhaps that is not a good or clear example. If you buy a ticket to a movie, that gives you the right to see it once and its only good for one person in that theater. Even if it were technically possible, would any one believe that it would be okay make a copy of the ticket for you spouse so she could get in for free with you? If you wiggle and dance with your thoughts, some people might try to justify it with an idea like “Since we are married and we hold all property jointly, making a copy of the ticket for my wife is like making a copy for me, and that would be like letting me in, so that would be fair use since I have my ticket already.” Any one want to buy that bridge to Brooklyn?

When someone purchases a DRM LIT e-book, there are terms of use that apply, namely that you can only use it for devices with Activation for that specified purchaser. If you don’t agree to the terms of sale, don’t buy it. That means it would not be fair use to convert it to different format for my wife’s Clie. Sure, I could use Convert LIT, but that would be against the terms of sale. If she wanted to read a DRM LIT title I bought, she would have to borrow my PDA or one of the other devices with Activation. It would be like borrowing a paper bound book. A book is physical object that can be shared with other people, but it only was one existence; an ebook is, by its nature, is an intangible item, and only the device licensed to read it should be shared with others. If, for some reason, all the licensed devices were unavailable, the ebooks would become unavailable. If a paper bound book were to become unavailable (maybe you left it in the subway), you don’t get to go back where you bought it from and get a new copy.

If something were to happen to my current Activations and I had to start over with a new DRM passport, I wouldn’t like losing the ability to read what I’ve already bought, but that would be the legal option. So what would be so bad if I down converted my library to no encryption? Still my own fair use, right? Not by the terms of sale. That not to say I wouldn’t, it would be so easy, and very very easy to justify, even after all I’ve said. Now what happens if someone else wants to read the ebook? Do I let them borrow a device or just let them have a copy I've made?

I think the withdrawal of Convert LIT from the public is a good thing. The DRM is certainly fraught with difficulties and could be improved and made easier for honest users, but illegal conversions—even if only used for the buyer’s idea of “fair use”—will unlikely result in better circumstances for everyone.

[surur]

In this post, before editing, I expressed amazement that a new member would express the above views, which I found inflammatory to myself and, in my view, most normal people, without it being an intentional troll, or being in a disturbed state of mind.

I also expressed my wish that some-one would inform the above poster of the general sentiments as expressed in previous posts of the majority of the community here.

When e-books cost a tenth of a paper book, Ill happily accept the impermanence of my purchase. Otherwise get out of my way while I make a permanent copy of the BOOK I paid full price for, before microsoft et al abandons the technology, and I dont get any activations in 2010, when the DOJ breaks them up.


Surur

[dean_shan]

Well put Surur. Well put. :clap:

[drop]

I think Gee Mont is reasonable.

Cost of ebooks is high. Then let your wallet speak for you. Don't buy the electronic formats. Don't like all the conditions and restrictions that come with ebooks? Don't buy them. Get the paper ones. Allow supply and demand drives the publishers to lower the price. There are ways to make our displease known. The more agreement breaking going on, the more restrictions there will be.

[Kati Compton]

Originally Posted by drop

Cost of ebooks is high. Then let your wallet speak for you. Don't buy the electronic formats. Don't like all the conditions and restrictions that come with ebooks? Don't buy them. Get the paper ones. Allow supply and demand drives the publishers to lower the price. There are ways to make our displease known. The more agreement breaking going on, the more restrictions there will be.

While initially this sounds like the way to go, I think it is misinterpreted by publishers as a lack of demand for eBooks at any price...

[Gee Mont]

Originally Posted by Surur

Seriously, is this a troll? ...

Some-one needs to be hit with a clue stick :twak:

Instead of trolls and clue sticks, perhaps I—perish the thought—speak my mind. Is everyone who disagrees trolling or clueless? Is there some unwritten covenant here that stipulates acceptance of circumventing DRM technology. Perhaps I’m just an atheist in the Foxhole, so to speak. I don’t believe that Convert LIT immune from criticism. If there is a rule that says, “Please don’t tip our Sacred Cows,” please accept my apologies. I know this a subject with strong convictions for some folk. I just wanted to point out that not every one holds to those convictions. Well, if that makes you think I’ve been hitting the bottle, so be it.

If you don’t like the terms of sale for DRM ebooks, why do you buy them?

Movies are as impermanent as they come, but many people will punk down $8.00 or $10.00 for two hours. Few ebooks cost more then $10.00; I think I’ve only bought one that was more then $12.00. A cheap seat for the symphony is about twice that. If you refuse to buy a movie, theater, opera, or whatever ticket on the grounds that you can’t make a recording of the performance while you are there, you are entitled to that belief, just don’t show up with a camcorder and not expect to be tossed out.

[surur]

As Kati said, if we dont buy because the price is too high for the rights we get, the market will never develop, and everybody will say "ebooks are dead" (ar-nt they saying that already?) So what I rather do is buy the book, support the innovative startup that took the chance on a new market, and treat the book as if its a physical book. As long as I dont upload to kazaa, I dont see the problem in cracking the DRM.

Many new markets need us early adopters to support them, but it doesn't mean we have to be stupid about it. Many new markets never pan out and collapse, and we dont have to be the ones who suffer because of this. As long as we dont actively sabotage the stores (e.g upload to kazaa) I dont see the problem.

To give you another example why its stupid to stick to unreasonable rules which hurt no one, in the UK its illegal to rip your CD's to MP3's (there is no such thing as Fair Rights Provision here), yet I have always done it, most people who know how do it, we do it for our own enjoyment, and we dont feel like criminals. Yet what we are doing is illegal...

Just understand, sometimes the rules (and even the laws) are wrong, and as long is you are not hurting anyone (and no, lost profit by not buying a copy of the book to give to your wife to read on her clie does not count) then I dont see any problem in breaking the rules.

Surur

[drop]

Originally Posted by Kati Compton

While initially this sounds like the way to go, I think it is misinterpreted by publishers as a lack of demand for eBooks at any price...

I agree. Many hands are involved in the future of eBooks. The Reader Developers ( some standards would be good ), publishers, marketers, users, etc. We each have to do his/her part. However, converting / copying is also not the way to ensure a bright future for eBooks.

[surur]

Originally Posted by Gee Mont

Movies are as impermanent as they come, but many people will punk down $8.00 or $10.00 for two hours. Few ebooks cost more then $10.00; I think I’ve only bought one that was more then $12.00. A cheap seat for the symphony is about twice that. If you refuse to buy a movie, theater, opera, or whatever ticket on the grounds that you can’t make a recording of the performance while you are there, you are entitled to that belief, just don’t show up with a camcorder and not expect to be tossed out.

You obviously dont understand that movies and books are not the same thing.. And that you pay more for the DVD (your permanent copy) than the projected movie (which is obviously less permanent). And that you get a lot more for your money when you watch the movie on the big screen (a night out, better sound system, bigger screen) which is why it costs as much as it costs.

Value for money obviously have no meaning to you. So should we be confiscating your full price car after one year, just because houses cost 10 times more, and you are prepared to pay for that. Stupid analogy, but your make about as much sense. :frusty:

Surur

[Gee Mont]

Originally Posted by Surur

Just understand, sometimes the rules (and even the laws) are wrong, and as long is you are not hurting anyone (and no, lost profit by not buying a copy of the book to give to your wife to read on her clie does not count) then I dont see any problem in breaking the rules.

Surur

There are many stupid laws in any country. If you break them in private, then there is a good chance no one will bother you about the illegal deed. However, if you flaunt what you do, help others do the same, and taunt the people who want the stupid law, then maybe you should reconsider your approach when you see the hammer coming down. If you were to write your own version of Convert LIT and only use it for you own stuff, tell no one, the repercussions would probably be negligent.

If you want to support the ebook industry, use the purchases the way the terms of sale dictate. Support the multiformt editions available from places like Fictionwise more than the secure formats.

If you let it be known that DRM is being circumvented, then Corporate Executives will say “Add more security!” or “Ebook security costs us too much, remove the items from the marketplace.” That’s how they think.

If Corporate Executives see multiformt ebooks selling without encryption, and no apparent illegal uploads as file shares, then they’ll think of this Great Idea all by themselves: cut the security budget and staff, increase the bottom line, and give themselves a bonus with the funds they saved. That’s how they think. Wouldn’t it really work that way? Maybe not, but at least it is an attempt to use Corporate Executive psychology to achieve a desirable end. Taunts and flaunts will get you nowhere.

I’m not so sure I’d agree that ebooks cost too much. I wouldn’t buy them by the handfuls, like I do with old $1.00 to $3.00 used paperbacks, at the current costs, but many are around the same price as a new mass market paperback. I don’t buy new paperbacks by handful either.