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by jl6 1274 days ago
I don’t think it’s fine at all, but the reason it’s allowed to happen is that they aren’t “your” books - what you’ve bought (or been tricked into buying) is a license, and that license comes with terms and conditions, including the right to revoke the license, which usually means you must remain in good standing with your new ebook feudal lord.

Personally I think ebook vendors should be required to use language that makes it transparent that what you are buying is a kind of contract, which is different to a physical book in several important ways.

2 comments

Personally, I think we need more protections for consumers. Either that license must be perpetual and unrevocable and grant far more rights than it does, or licenses should be abolished for proof of ownership for a digital copy. Real ownership, not some weird license that isn't even worth the paper it's printed on.

Corporations (at least in Europe) aren't allowed to make you sign away your rights. I don't see why it should be any different for ebooks.

Just imagine what it would be like if everything worked with the same design.

You would own nothing and be happy...

Found you, Mr Schwab