This isn’t a debate about the legality of the matter, but on whether it’s ethical to DeDRM ebooks that you’ve checked out from a library. The publishing company and author are usually paid for each copy that you’ve lent, which is often why eBooks exhaust large parts of a library’s budget. If you are able to loan a book for a month, but you DeDRM it and don’t share it anyone else, and therefore instead finish it in two months, is this ethical? Or have you intentionally reduced the potential for more revenue to the author by instead not lending it twice? Do the publishers predatory licensing fees for libraries make this more ethical?

  • Yingwu@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPM
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    7 days ago

    Interesting argument! While I have no qualms DeDRMing bought books, I do feel a bit more bad about trying to DeDRM lent books.

    • Libb
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      7 days ago

      That’s what I said (maybe failed to make it clear?): I play by the rules and don’t De-DRM rented books ;)

      • Yingwu@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPM
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        7 days ago

        Yes, sorry, I got your point and I’m leaning towards your side of the argument. I think I was the one being unclear.