The 11th Offence - (The downlow on downloads)

I know there are many opinions regarding the free distribution of electronic books, music, software and the like but we must enforce a pretty strict policy in this regard for several reasons:

1. it is generally illegal

2. our agreement with our hosting providers precludes us from doing so

3. our server is located in the United States, where there are more lawyers per square mile than there are dead bodies to feed them

Obviously we are a small community with a religious goal, limited access to the materials that interest us, etc., so there are different sides to this issue but we do have to avoid anything that is blatently illegal. While we admire everyone's enthusiasm to share the stuff that makes our lives so pleasant, we have to ask for your cooperation in this regard.

What does this mean for GD though, Braja? Would you mind specifying what exactly it is that we are allowed or not allowed to do? Or is it that you are still in the process of considering such specifications?

Yes, I guess my statements could have implications beyond what I intended. In case it was missed, today someone posted links to some commercial software and also to what I assume must be copyrighted audio materials. Those are the incidents to which I am specifically referring: downloadable copies of commercial files.

Context.

Ah thanks! I read this topic before those ones so I couldn't understand. Thanks again!

E-Books of Krishna Books should be free!

Is Krishna consciousness going to survive on donations of Books only? Or devotees reading the books on-line for free. They will buy the books later. Even Audio, you will get many purchasing the bona-fide CD. I cannot think of an instance when a Vaisnava has been taken to court because of Copyright.

I have been told after certain amount of years the Copyright is taken away. All of our Acharyas books are no longer under any Copyright restriction, they can be given away for free, electronic. But say BBT Books you cannot. But then you get sites giving them away for free in Word Format such as:

http://www.hare-krishna.org/srila-prabhupada-books.htm

I mean if your giving these books away for free. Why not the Audio?!

Do you think its ok to break the law just because 'everyone else is doing it'? When you distribute such things that are under copyright 'for free', you are breaking the law, plain and simple.

You also take advantage of the devotees that worked hard to make the product. Someone edited those books. Someone illustrated them. Someone typed them into a computer.

However, let me just say that my concern is with posting the links on GD, and having GD implicated in the distribution of the files. What you do with your personal web site is your business; between you, your conscience & God. Just don't post links to or advertise material you do not have explicit permission to post on GD. That simple.

You may trade files amongst friends, etc, but when you post on GD, you have put it out to the entire world, and made it look as if GD is hosting/condoning breaking the law. Not friendly, and not something that's wanted. Its a simple enough rule.

I'm not giving these books away. I have no affiliation with that site. Personally, I would question if they have the right to distribute these files.

Yes and I copy/pasted and made E-Books.

I can take the link for downloadpage out, it's not a problem.