What (if any) are the rules about printing (and binding) copyrighted PDFs?
Someone sent me a short story – actually a medium-length story – they had written – they own the copyright and the intellectual property, and I totally respect that.
It’s good. It’s the kind of thing that, if this guy were a professional writer, he could have published and sold. He doesn’t want to go that direction; writing is a hobby for him.
My question: suppose I printed out the PDF and then had it bound. Not changing the content at all; just converting it from PDF to paper and putting it in book binding.
Are there legal ramifications to this? Can I do that with someone else’s intellectual property? I’m not going to sell it; just put it on my bookshelf and read it from time to time.
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14 Answers
I’m not a lawyer, but feel you are covered under “fair use” for research.
I would check with them to make sure it is ok.
From my understanding (not an attorney or expert) as long as it’s for personal or educational use you should be good.
If you are printing it just for you, I can’t see a problem with it if he shared it with you. The problem would be if you shared it in a public forum or tried to sell it.
As a courtesy you could tell him you would like to print it for your own reading pleasure, but from my perspective I can’t see a difference legally between having it in PDF form or having it printed. I’m not a lawyer and this is just my assumption.
Ask them for permission. Then it’s ok. Printing for your own use is probably ok (since they gave you a copy, if one assumes they have no objection to you reading what they gave you in printed form). Copying it more than once, and/or without their permission is not ok. Yes, there are still grey areas in what I wrote, and I am not a lawyer, so I may well be wrong about some of it.
Short answer is that you’re fine unless you are concerned in your heart about breaking a law or the author attempts to enforce the copyright. It’s no different than printing it and putting it in a 3-ring binder.
It may matter if he was explicit about your use of the PDF. Copyright protects against “reproduction,” and printing it may constitute reproduction if it is sold/licensed/given to you as a digital asset.
He gave it to me to read because we’re friends; nothing more. He didn’t really say “don’t do this” because he knows and trusts me.
I don’t think you’re violating his trust if you print it and keep it for personal use.
You might want to read this so you can determine if you’re crossing any lines making it illegal or uncomfortable in your eyes. I agree with some of the others that you might want to ask permission first. In my case, I’d feel flattered that you would want your own copy to keep for your own pleasure!!!
You might want to mention to them that they can create their own book on Amazon & offer it for public consumption. It might or might not take off.
Ask. Their writing is their property unless granted otherwise. Your want does not provide you permission to make copy. If you read it, put it away and then write down your interpretation, then and only then can you not infringe on their work.
Do the correct thing. Writers are artists. Feel honored they provided it to you to read. There are so many writers that write for themselves like this. It is sacred to many of those kinds of writers. Don’t be selfish out of convenience. They also should secure their PDF from printing.
If you’re printing it and binding it yourself for your own personal use then it’s fair game. You may want to ask the author out of politeness.
If you are getting it printed and bound by a printshop they would probably want the authors permission to avoid any liability for themselves.
You’re fine.
Don’t worry.
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