This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.

I found this notice on the copyright page of something I bought at a recent used book sale. I can’t recall seeing a warning so overtly hostile to book borrowers and hope I never do again. I know about the first sale doctrine, and that this is completely unenforceable, but it still offends me. Should I contact the author for instructions on returning it unread?

  • Khanzarate@lemmy.world
    5·
    1 day ago

    When I decide I can’t support an author, I specifically buy the books used. Maybe that’s an option for you, here.

    I got my kid the whole Harry potter series second hand from thrift stores, cost me maybe 15$ total, didn’t finance Rowling at all. Took me a bit, they only show up once in a while.

    That or straight up piracy. Author gets the same 0$ either way.

    • swelter_spark@reddthat.comEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      I could probably find the rest of the series on Z-lib, if I wanted to, but reading them would feel like engaging with the author as a person more than I now want. There’s plenty of authors who don’t speak negatively of readers who get their books used. I’d rather give them my time and attention.