[stochastastic]

While I understand why authors may not like the IA’s emergency program, I find the language to describe it confusing. A number of comments here use the term “uncontrolled digital lending”, and it took me a bit of reading to discover that the files still had DRM and would “expire“ after a set time. The phrase paints a picture of the IA sending unprotected PDFs to anyone and everyone. I think it is confusing at best.

Authors, I don’t think the confusion does you any favors. I was more sympathetic to your concerns before I read your comments.

[jjcon]

They distributed an unlimited number of copies - not backed by anything physical. That being the case, there is effectively no time limit on how long you can borrow something (you can just re-check it out).

That is just straight up piracy. They lent copies they did not own.

They tried to justify it by saying libraries were closed but they ignored the fact that more than 90% of libraries already have digital lending programs that went through the due processes and are legal.

[trewnews]

> They distributed an unlimited number of copies - not backed by anything physical.

So like money?

[jjcon]

The supply of money is definitely not unlimited... if it is I’d like a few million dollars please.

[detaro]

The effective time limit is the end of the time-limited program.