Two things…
Over the weekend I had an interesting conversation with some friends about pirated books versus library books. One argument that came up was: They’re both free, right? So how is downloading a free book any different than checking it out from the library?
Of course I know that downloading stolen material and visiting the library are two VERY DIFFERENT things, but unfortunately I wasn’t very articulate in explaining why. So, I decided to do some reading on the subject and came across this fantastic article that details the differences quite eloquently. While I highly recommend you read the article in its entirety, the basic answer is this: Libraries BUY copies of books and have a finite number to loan to patrons, not a file that can be downloaded a bazillion times (for free!) by anyone with internet access.
The author of the article gives this fantastic analogy… Surely you would lend $10 to a friend in need. But would you put up your PayPal account details on the internet for the world to see with a note that says, “Hey, feel free to borrow ten bucks”?
I think not. Bottom line is this: Downloading pirated material is wrong (not to mention illegal) and you shouldn’t do it. Buy the book. Check the book out from the library. Borrow a friend’s copy. But please. Don’t steal it.
And, on a totally different note, today at YA Confidential I’m discussing an eating disorder you may not have heard of… Orthorexia.
katyupperman.com 
I can agree to the library/download thing. I’m a library junkie, but I can’t imagine pirating someone’s book. On another note, the first YA Confidential link you have doesn’t work. The second one does though and I’m on my way over to check it out. And I loved that picture. Makes me want to go find some yummy berries to eat.
Thanks for letting me know about the link. Fixed it! And yes, libraries are awesome! Illegal downloads? Not so much…
I can’t imagine pirating a book or reading a pirated book. That’s just stealing, IMHO. “Free” or not.
Great post on YA Con, btw. Very informative.
Stealing for sure… And thanks, Alison!
Bouh illegal downloading of books!
Thanks for the link, Katy! And I have to check out Orthorexia, that’s the very first time I hear about it 😀
Hope you had a wonderful Monday!
Thanks, Elodie… Same!
That is a fantastic analogy about the $10 v. PayPal. I have one friend who downloads a ton of books, and I’ve tried to convince why that’s neither legal nor cool, but she sticks to the library excuse. Pretty frustrating.
It is frustrating. Authors, editors, agents, cover artists, etc, should paid for their hard work and creativity. I don’t know how people can argue any other way.
UGH. People who pirate books make me furious. If there is really no difference in their mind between that and the library, then why don’t they just go to the library?! Booo.
Right?! It’s such a silly argument!