I personally agree with both of you. I wont re-purchase something I already own out of principle. I have been considering scanning a lot of books that are on my shelf and then using some OCR software to bring it back to text again. Then I am left with the same dilemma that Trae mentioned. Why do that when I can easily grab it from someone who's already done the work.

As a positive, I am seeing more and more dvd's now that give you a digital copy of it along with the disc at the time of purchase (I am sure it has DRM, but it's still a start). I would like to see the same scenerio when I buy a physical book to get the ebook with it. I am sure at some point that will be the case.

So no, I do not see any ethical issues with this. Legally, I'm not so sure.

I'm not sure about the law on this either. I've also heard putting vinyl or CD content on your MP3 player isn't ok anymore.

That's the problem with electronic goods, they have "licenses" not ownership!

I've downloaded stuff I own; I'm not going to re-purchase it! I own 3 paper copies of Narnia already!

I like the idea - Format SHIFTING, very clever!

I agree with the idea, once you own the content you should be able to enjoy it in any format you choose.

However, what we feel and what the law says may be two different things.

I would like to see the same scenerio when I buy a physical book to get the ebook with it. I

Ditto, and this is the way it should be IMO. In 2003 I think... I bought Stone And Anvil by Peter David (Star Trek New Frontier) and it came with a disc that had every New Frontier book issued to date, including S&A in ebook form. Even though I did not have an ereader back then, I was delighted to have it. Now if I could just remember where I put that disc lol.

The point is, what annoys me the most about this all is the that publishers are seeing ebooks as the pot of gold, and feel very entitled in basically ripping off the consumer. (that my perception at least) For very little orginal cost, they are taking a manuscript they already own the rights to publish, and converting 1 copy to digital. Then sell that copy electronically for as much (in some cases more...) than the paper copy.

And heck if this is the second or even third time you've bought this book... all the better.

I have no qualms about buying books, but I'm not rebuying books that I already own, unless they are much lower in price than their new release counter parts. As it stands now... I'll be buying a HC copy of the new Sookie book, I already have the last 11 and see no reason to re-purchase them. Right now they are all priced about $9.99, even though they have ALL been released in paperback at what about $6 ea? Yah, no way.

I think, if I already own it I should be allowed to download it. Of course there has to be a way to prove that or everyone will be claiming ownership of any book they like.