I actually hate that it’s not legal to lend ebooks. Hate. I won’t say I don’t understand why it’s a complicated issue, though, because it’s incredibly hard to own data in any way that can be equated to owning physical items. Comparisons don’t work, because they’re just not the same thing.

In a perfect world, it would be easy to loan and resell a single copy of an ebook, just like you can with print books. In a practical world…well, I get really incensed when people sell 100 copies of one of my ebooks when they bought one. I can’t get behind rights of ownership when the right is to duplicate in unlimited measure and resell as many copies as possible.

That said, I’ve pretty much never minded when anyone lends a copy of my book, legal or not. (Please don’t come and get me publishers.) And I think the smart publishers get that, and are working as hard as they can to find ways to give readers rights and a good reading experience. That’s where the future is–giving readers a good experience.

This is not directly relevant to your article but to a couple of comments above.

I have a great paper book by Nevil Shute called ‘No highway’ that I bought about 20 years ago. I have lent it to about 10 people in the last three years. More than half never heard of him ! and have since reported in casual conversation that they have bought several of his other great books like Requiem for a Wren.

I have an eBook of Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. I read it ages ago and never re read books. I lent it – gave it – to a friend of mine about two weeks ago to read it on her iPhone. She LOVED it and because she is not much of an eBook reader she bought the paper version to read again.

When I buy something I consider it mine. I don’t give a fiddlers curse what some stupid copyright law that was bought and paid for by Publishers says. I paid for it. It is mine.

If the Publishing industry thinks that the public will stand for a law that tries to tell them they only have a ‘license to use it for themselves etc etc etc’ then they have a huge surprise in store for them.

Howard
Regular on Teleread.com

i have nothing more to add.

I don’t think the majority of pirates are suffering from geographic or legal complications, but those who are have my sympathy and yes, my tacit understanding. I’m going out on a limb by saying it, but I will anyway: I understand.

I’m intensely glad that my ebooks are available to everyone regardless of geographic location and at a reasonable price without DRM. I feel so, so strongly about that that there are times when I dread the possibility of having to choose between opportunities for my career and having all of our books readily and easily affordable for all.

I think the next few years are going to be painful growing years for New York publishers. Right now they seem to be telling themselves that they can make this all go away if they make ebooks unappealing enough–or maybe they’re just trying to buy time. Either way, the digital revolution is here, and it’s not going to sit in the corner and wait to be noticed. So I’m with you in hoping it gets resolved quickly.

Thank you for your post. Just want to say I found it very expressive of the many points I, as a confessed ebook pirate, agree to. I fall under the “those that pirate but feel guilty” category.

I am guilty of going to the “dark side” for ebooks; and the main reason I do so is geographical restrictrictions. When I first discovered ebooks, I thought it was a godsend. I live in a third world country in Southeast Asia and book availability on release date is scarce; if ever at all. I am willing, and have done so in the past, paid full hardcover price for an ebook I want to read on publication date (i.e. US$25 — note that minimum wage in my country is US$7.50/day). However what option is available to me if they are simply not available, in any format, in my country? Ordering paper books online takes 4-6 weeks delivery and shipping cost is usually equal to if not greater than the price of the books. I have done this once or twice (paid shipping cost up to 3x value of paper books, not to mention dealing with corrupt customs officials by paying an unofficial “handling fee” when picking up packages from the post office [yes, we have to pick up our own packages rather that having it delivered door-to-door unless you have it sent via courrier]), though obviosly this has seriously curbed my book-buying habits.

Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way advocating piracy; but it is frustrating to the extreme that bibliophiles like myself are hampered from legitimately purchasing the books we want to read and are willing to pay for. I personally feel that these restrictions have left me little alternative but to turn to the “dark side”. This includes paying more for a digital book than for a paper book; which really makes no sense to me.

“Yes, I can go to pirate sites and see hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of downloads of our book. However, I would be surprised if 10% of that number represented truly lost sales… I truly believe that people will take something for free that they would never, ever buy. Lots of people. Just because it’s there.”
– This is very, very true. Of note: I never would have discovered erotic fiction (and the authors who excel in this genre –like yourselves– as they are in heavy demand and often discussed in forum threads) without pirate sites. Now that I know them and have been made aware of the distinction between “good erotic fiction authors” and just plain “porn trash” I am more willing to part with my money for some good stories from authors I like.

I fully agree with your view that ebook piracy can never realistically be eradicated, but can be MINIMIZED by making ebook purchases convinient and attractive (no DRM/geographic restrictions, no delay for ebook releases, competitive pricing, format availability etc). Make it easier for me to get the books I want, I would glaly do so with a much cleaner conscience to boot.

I wish to further express my great respect on your views and arguments on this topic. It is very refreshing to find an author more in tune with the preferences of their readers as opposed to certain big-headed authors who-must-not-be-named (*cough* preston *cough* see here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/technology/11reader.html)

It’s all a matter of finding the equilibrium between Supply and Demand. Ebook readers are still a minority, albeit a growing one. Here’s to hoping the tide will soon turn and cater to the demands of the ebook reading public.