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For instance: I buy a book at regular price, and then decide to sell it back to a store (for 1/4 of the overal price) that buys and sells used books. The store then turns around and sells the book for 1/2 of the original price to someone else.

How is it legal that that store owner gets to make money off something that someone else wrote, since the original author never receives royalties for having his book sold twice?

2006-11-25 10:17:48 · 5 answers · asked by I Am Legend 5 in Arts & Humanities Books & Authors

5 answers

Copyright law says that the contents of the book - the ideas - are the property of the author (or copyright holder). The physical BOOK is the property of the person who purchases it. Once you own the physical book you can do anything you want with that book, including resell it. You cannot make copies of it in any format - digital, photocopies, audio, etc. Only the book belongs to you, not the contents.

2006-11-25 10:23:02 · answer #1 · answered by swbiblio 6 · 4 0

Why is it legal to sell a used car?
- the car company doesn't get paid again.
Why is it legal to sell your house?
- the builder doesn't get paid again.
Why is it legal to sell ANYTHING used?
- because in a free society the owner has the right to keep or sell the property he/she has purchased. Without this right of ownership, the original purchase of the car, house, or even a book, might NEVER happen. Then the author receives nothing - ever!

2006-11-25 18:23:14 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 3 0

Why Not? I consider it re-cycling for those who dont want to do the work. Sell it - let someone else do it. Or you can just HOARD your used books for comfort and status...?

2006-11-25 18:23:01 · answer #3 · answered by ellemck 2 · 0 1

What a thought provoking question. You are really smart.

2006-11-25 18:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by Call Me Babs 5 · 0 2

Good point.

2006-11-25 18:19:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

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