The Internet Archive seems to have fallen into copyright infringements due to distribution of materials still under copyright protection, even though they followed, mostly, the protocols of a library in issuing only the number of E-books they actually owned. Much of this seems to have come from when they expanded operations, at least claimed as temporarily, during the pandemic.

This might be of interest for the archivists here, and the loaning or reproduction of materials.

Of course, if you are really interested or have reason to be, this is only a start for the research you may have do do.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2aowF0jUw

As a creator of works under copyright, I agree with the court on this issue. Unless what you are passing around is in the public domain, in other words, the copyright has expired and was not renewed or extended, or you do not hold a license granted by the owner to copy and/or distribute copyrighted works, you are in violation of copyright law.

If you’re going to claim that your distribution of copyrighted works falls under the “fair use” doctrine, I suggest you educate yourself on fair use or, better yet, contact an attorney that specializes in copyright law before you get any particular body parts caught in the proverbial wringer.

I have former clients that repeatedly ask if I or they can directly post videos or images by others on their websites, Facebook or whatever which is a form of distribution. The answer is always “NO!” unless they purchase a license, or have written permission, from the owner to do so. The same answer would apply to print publications, artwork, etc. etc.

There are a few exceptions, like some derivative works or publications paid for entirely with your tax dollars, which in effect makes you a partial owner, but even so, you’d better check first and see if you need permission just in case….

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

I was using Internet Archive earlier this week for research in some early periodicals. The site has some amazing material, and thanks to it for all the hard work. However, as a researcher, author, editor, and publisher, I cannot support what IA did with the covid-era book copying. IA sowed the wind, and it is now trying to reap the whirlwind.