Re: GPL and other licences

[David Kastrup]

Isaac <isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> writes:

> On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 14:18:22 +0100, David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org> wrote:
>> Graham Murray <newspost@gmurray.org.uk> writes:
>> 
>>> David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org> writes:
>>>
>>>> Graham Murray <newspost@gmurray.org.uk> writes:
>>>>> For example you borrow from the library a book which comes with a CD
>>>>> containing GPL'd software. Under the terms of the GPL are you not
>>>>> entitled to make a copy of that software before returning the book
>>>>> and CD to the library? You do not need the library's (owner of the
>>>>> physical copy you copied) permission to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Not?  You mean, I can just walk into a library and start scanning with
>>>> a hand scanner or a digital camera from media that happen to contain
>>>> public domain material, without actually borrowing the stuff out?
>>>
>>> No I am not suggesting that at all. What I am suggesting is that I
>>> can borrow a book from the library and once it is in my possession I
>>> can do with it anything allowed by copyright law.
>> 
>> Because a library is a special agency, with special rules fixed in
>> special laws.
>
> I don't think it is necessary to argue that the library is special.
> The library owns books and allows access to them as they choose.
> There are only a few provisions of copyright law that are triggered
> by owning a copy and the ones of interest here don't apply to books.
> No license or permission of any kind is allowed to exercise fair use
> just as no license is required to read a book.  Fair use is copying
> done without permission.

I don't think that lending out books for money to people you don't
know with the intent to let them read and copy them is still covered
by the normal "fair use".

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum