Cheap College Book

Eden asked:


This is something I have been doing in many of my college classes for a while now and I’m wondering if it’s okay to do. I never give them to anyone else and I throw them away when I’m done.
In regard to the people slamming me for being “unethical”:
If what I did was illegal, then that is fine and I thank everyone for answering because that is indeed what I wanted to know. But to call it unethical is where I disagree.
I am a second year college student, paying $8,000 a semester to attend college (out of my own pocket) and expected to spend over $400 a semester on books and supplies. I think the unethical thing here is for textbook companies to charge $200 for a single book that is REQUIRED for a class. I did not copy an entire book, I copied 65 pages. I did not buy from a small, private bookstore that was charging a reasonable price. I bought it from a giant bookstore that buys many books back for about $15 and turns around and sells them for $100. That seems way more unethical to me to rip people off who are trying to get an education and have no choice but to get the books required for a class then me copying 65 pages from a book and returning it.

TheKid asked:


Just worried about Canadian laws on copyrights and such and selling some old textbooks. These university textbooks are at the latest 2 years old, and all the others are much older. So is it against the law to sell these textbooks that I used (at a lower price than the time I bought them of course) ? I finished using them and I no longer want/need/use them anymore. It’d be a waste to throw them out.

hungry all the time asked:


Actually I have started to sell my used textbooks two years ago and there was no problem until last month. Two of my recent buyers did not receive the books and they want the refund back. I did send out the books and I still keep the shipping receipts. I also email the images of USPS receipts to both buyers after their request of items.

One buyer said he is going to file the buyer protection policy. I check the information from ebay. It seems that ebay may take money away from my account after buyer files the protection policy. What should I do to protect myself?
no tracking #, no insurance. I sent them out by media mail. that’s what ebay offers on the shipping choice and ebay even takes commission from my $3.99 shipping fee. and on ebay website, they said they may refund buyers if there is no tracking #. that’s shady.

august:] asked:


I’m doing research for a school newspaper article about lies in public school science textbooks, so I would also like information relating to New York State’s laws on textbook accuracy. Links would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

hdawg2006 asked:


I was wondering if I could legally post answers to my college text book online? Is there a law against it? I was thinking maybe chapter notes, definitions, and answers to the questions. Each would be in my own words, minus the questions, which would be retyped.

There would be no photocopying, or using direct material without using proper MLA citation.

bozo c asked:


I feel wronged by the Digital Rights Management installed. Users are limited to printing 2 pages at a time.

mochris321 asked:


Hi, everyone, I have an international editon textbooks and would like to re-sell it online either on eday or amazon. However, after I have done some book searches, I didn’t find any post selling international edition textbooks anymore? Have it become illegal or these websites try to discourage this kind of sale?

powxmansal asked:


I bought a textbook that was an international edition and lately people have complained to the seller that it is illegal to sell IE’s.

rsabian611 asked:


I know that copyright protects expression and not information. So I would think that putting information in my own words would be an original work. But I am concerned that somehow I would be violating copyright of organization or something. Thanks
Another question. Would I have to use citations to quote credit to where I learned it? I don’t want to reveal sources. I always figured a footnote would be for a quote, and since I am not using exact words or expression, this would be an original work.

abeautifuletdown asked:


Is this a law or requirement for state-funded schools?