There are a number of websites that allow you to read books like 'The Battle of the Labyrinth' online for free, but the legality of these sites is always questionable - none of them are authorized or endorsed by any book publisher.
Amongst the sites offering free books are onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/ and onread.com These sites operate on a day to day basis as publishers attempt to close them down due to copyright breaches.
Publishers spend millions every year printing, distributing and promoting their titles in the hope that people will pay money for their publications. If the same or similar material is available free online their entire reason for business becomes questionable.
Some websites claim that reproducing online can act as a marketing initiative, allowing people to read books that will encourage them to buy in the future. While it can introduce an author to someone, publishers are unconvinced with the argument that someone will decide to pay money for a product having read something similar free online.
Unlike music or even video, there is a distinctive feel to reading a book that the internet has yet to replicate. The introduction of the iPad and Kindle has gone some way towards reproducing books online, but due to the volume of words and contrast of a screen they are still noticeably inferior to reading a book.
E-books have been around for a while and fill a different role in the market, mainly allowing authors to get their works published without the massive costs of printing and distribution. An e-book provides an online platform for authors to position themselves to build up a following and earn money without having to impress a publisher.
Amongst the sites offering free books are onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/ and onread.com These sites operate on a day to day basis as publishers attempt to close them down due to copyright breaches.
- Why is it illegal?
Publishers spend millions every year printing, distributing and promoting their titles in the hope that people will pay money for their publications. If the same or similar material is available free online their entire reason for business becomes questionable.
- Don't they benefit from online publication?
Some websites claim that reproducing online can act as a marketing initiative, allowing people to read books that will encourage them to buy in the future. While it can introduce an author to someone, publishers are unconvinced with the argument that someone will decide to pay money for a product having read something similar free online.
- How easy is it to read online?
Unlike music or even video, there is a distinctive feel to reading a book that the internet has yet to replicate. The introduction of the iPad and Kindle has gone some way towards reproducing books online, but due to the volume of words and contrast of a screen they are still noticeably inferior to reading a book.
E-books have been around for a while and fill a different role in the market, mainly allowing authors to get their works published without the massive costs of printing and distribution. An e-book provides an online platform for authors to position themselves to build up a following and earn money without having to impress a publisher.
