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Authors fume as online library "lends" unlimited free books:
For almost a decade, the Internet Archive, an online library best known for its Internet Wayback Machine, has let users "borrow" scanned digital copies of books held in its warehouse. Until recently, users could only check out as many copies as the organization had physical copies. But last week, The Internet Archive announced it was eliminating that restriction, allowing an unlimited number of users to check out a book simultaneously. The Internet Archive calls this the National Emergency Library.
Initial media coverage of the service was strongly positive. The New Yorker declared it a "gift to readers everywhere." But as word of the new service spread, it triggered a backlash from authors and publishers.
"As a reminder, there is no author bailout, booksellers bailout, or publisher bailout," author Alexander Chee tweeted on Friday. "The Internet Archive's 'emergency' copyrights grab endangers many already in terrible danger."
"It is a tarted-up piracy site," wrote author James Gleick.
Previously:
Internet Archive Suspends E-Book Lending "Waiting Lists" During U.S. National Emergency
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Thursday April 02 2020, @10:26AM
Most authors don't actually sell very many books [electricliterature.com] and don't make much from libraries anyway [publiclibrariesonline.org]
If the authors write stories that are any good, people reading them online for free will lead to some additional sales, so I can only guess that those complaining also complain to their publishers about a missing $1.05c royalty cheque for last year.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex