[jacquesm]

A whole pile of data on scribd was never uploaded by the original owners though, but by people posting links to pdfs to sites like HN.

[acqq]

Can anybody please tell me why does HN actively support such a site?

[jacquesm]

Because YC invested in it.

[mikecane]

I don't doubt there's piracy or unofficial uploading. But Scribd has also made a push to get self-published writers. And they miss the point someone downvoted.