Ebooks on Linux

[Scott Elcomb]

On Wed, Oct 9, 2013 at 6:20 PM, Gary Layng <glayng-rieW9WUcm8FFJ04o6PK0Fg at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> I'd think that, like a Dead Tree Edition book, as long as you don't cut into
> the original author's sales, you can do whatever you want with the file you
> bought and paid for.  It would be similar in concept to using a highlighter
> on a textbook you purchased.

Unfortunately I don't think that's the case.  There were some
progressive additions to C-11 like time-shifting, but "It does not,
however, allow the circumvention of digital locks (known as digital
rights management or DRM), even to exercise other rights under the
Copyright Act." [1]

Essentially, if your content is protected by a TPM you're legally out
of luck.  Many thousands of us wrote to the Government in '09 about
this specifically. We were ignored.[2]  In fact, I was recently
involved in conversation on Twitter regarding the lack of
participation in Canada's "Open Government" initiatives.  My comment
(directed at Tony Clement IIRC) was along the lines of "I didn't
participate because you ignored us."[3]

I got most of my ebooks via O'Reilly, who regularly offer 50% off
deals.  All of their books are DRM-free.  Other sources I use for
DRM-free books include Manning Publications[4] and Feedbooks[5].

[1] <http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2012/02/is-bill-c-11-the-right-way-to-reform-copyright.html>
[2] <http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/6544/125/>
[3] <https://twitter.com/psema4/status/380747609347878912>
[4] <http://manning.com/>
[5] <http://www.feedbooks.com/>

-- 
  Scott Elcomb
  @psema4 on Twitter / Identi.ca / Github & more

  Atomic OS: Self Contained Microsystems
  http://code.google.com/p/atomos/

  Member of the Pirate Party of Canada
  http://www.pirateparty.ca/
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