- something like netflix - (more) copyright exceptions for libraries - bring pub...

boplicity · on Sept 3, 2021

> something like Netflix

Isn't that, basically what Overdrive is doing? They license content (just like Netflix does), and then make it available to "subscribers", AKA library patrons? Or are you referring to things like "Kindle Unlimited", which offer a very similar service?

> (more) copyright exceptions for libraries

I'm not sure what you mean by this. The problem, as I see it, is that there needs to be a way to connect the value created to the income of the creators, otherwise the creators can't create.

> Go rogue, find the datahoarder people and give them money

I think the idea of "datahoarder" gets to the core of the disconnect here. You say "datahoarder", while other people say "publishers" and "authors." You're proposing giving them money -- which is exactly what Overdrive does! How is your proposal different?

> Individually go rogue. Just pirate all day and tell your friends

I fail to understand how piracy is a system that can support authors and publishers, who require income in order to produce books. Maybe you can explain this to me? Or are you just being facetious?

jrm4 · on Sept 3, 2021

The important goal of "widespread knowledge for all" is what matters, and matters an order of magnitude more than "believing in and preserving the particular way we do it now."

So, I don't care if piracy can't do what you mention. That may be a good thing -- I'm especially glad you mentioned publishers, who I'm not certain deserve to exist any longer. I personally don't think they do. Before, they did two useful things; distribution and curation. There was no other way to do that then.

They are absolutely not needed to do those things now, on a fundamental level, so -- evolve or die, I don't much care either way.

imgabe · on Sept 3, 2021

There is software that removes DRM from ebooks. It works on borrowed library ebooks as well. Or so I’m told ;)