>>>Mike, Bonnie said it perfectly. It is completely inappropriate to do that without the author's full blessing (and perhaps even the publisher)
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>>Inappropriate, perhaps, if you wish to support the author, which I think most do. The full blessing of the publisher has nothing to do with it. The messages to Mike clearly chastising him for his idea are utter nonsense IMHO.
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>>However, as Al wrote, it certainly has generated a lot of 'buzz' about the book which might spur interest and sales. Also, if everyone holds on to it for 4 weeks or less, some who have it during that period might just be prompted to buy it for themselves.
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>>I disagree with Mike on just about EVERYTHING, but in this I do not. I think it promotes learning, might get some folks started on a path that they otherwise might not, and promotes the community. People swap books all the time. He is not 'making a copy of the book' or doing anything else illegal. So, it is not illegal or else every used book store in the country would be shut down.
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>I agree. I think it is a pretty cool idea. Once in a while Mike gets a good idea - obviously not in politics though.. :)

I especially like the idea of keeping it just long enough to peruse, sign, and pass on to the next developer. Each person has to pay shipping on to the next. Who knows how many folks would sign it! It would make the rounds of vfp developers, dotnet developers, young new developers, etc. It would generate interest in the book and any future books by her. She might actually get more sales (and future sales) than she would without the 'pass it on.'



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>>As an avid reader and one who buys all of my books (3 a week usually) I see nothing wrong it. Once a month I box up all of my books that I've read during the month and my daughter takes them to her grandmother for her to read. I have no idea what happens to them after that and I don't care. There were many years when I could not afford to buy books and the library and used book stores were saviors for me.
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>>Typically, the owner of a particular copy of a copyrighted work has the right to sell, lend, or transfer that copy. The copyright holder's rights over a physical copy of a work end with the "first sale." (First sale rule) As long as no copyies are being made. Computer software and their manuals can fall under the licensing law and are specifically excluded in the copyright act; however, books about software by 3rd parties typically fall under the first sale and fair use of the copyright act. I haven't read anything to dispute that - so could someone please point me to it if the law has changed or those books fall under another category?
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>>http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/109.html