can you sell pdfs?

[joela]

if someone's already asked this question, please refer me to the the proper post.

anyway, i just started into the pdf scene over here at enworld, purchasing and downloading hundreds of $$$ of erpgs. while most were what was billed/reviewed, some didn't meet my expectations. that doesn't mean someone else won't want them, though.

so is it possible to sell rpg pdfs? and if so, how does it work?

 

[frankthedm]

Read the licence agreements on those PDFs from where you bought them. Chances are you can't legally even give them away, let alone sell them.

 

[Darkwolf71]

AFAIK, no.

The problem is, you're not selling the PDF. You're selling a copy of the PDF. Even if you say you are selling the entire thing and not keeping a copy of it for yourself. There is only your word for that. Thus, we have 'watermarking'. Once you buy a PDF it is yours. I'm sure there are ways to change or remove said watermark, but I'm also sure such actions are illegal.

Most likely someone can give a more accurate answer, but it's still going to boil down to, 'No'.

 

[joela]

No

AFAIK, no.

The problem is, you're not selling the PDF. You're selling a copy of the PDF. Even if you say you are selling the entire thing and not keeping a copy of it for yourself. There is only your word for that. Thus, we have 'watermarking'. Once you buy a PDF it is yours. I'm sure there are ways to change or remove said watermark, but I'm also sure such actions are illegal.

Most likely someone can give a more accurate answer, but it's still going to boil down to, 'No'.

Thanks. I'll put them in virtual storage.

 

[mhensley]

This is a major reason why i don't normally buy pdf's. With books I get tired of or don't like, I can always get back at least 25-50% of their cost back by selling it online or to the used book store.

 

[Fifth Element]

This is a major reason why i don't normally buy pdf's. With books I get tired of or don't like, I can always get back at least 25-50% of their cost back by selling it online or to the used book store.

Of course, this is offset by the fact that most PDFs are significantly cheaper than their print counterparts. There are notable exceptions, such as WotC's PDFs of 3.X books.

 

[Terraism]

Not to be the lone voice of dissent here, but there is an actual question regarding the resale of any form of digital assets. Even if a license agreement stipulates that you cannot resell a PDF, within the United States, at least, said license agreement is only dubiously legal - the First Sale Doctrine prohibits a manufacturer/producer/author from restricting the resell of goods, which has been shown to include software and audio (in cassette form, at least.)

Now, please not that I'm most certainly not a lawyer, just someone who finds digital copyright/ownership an interesting issue, and that there is significant controversy on the subject. General rule? Probably not a good idea to resell a PDF - even if the First Sale Doctrine applies, I'm certain nobody involved in this situation wants to find out. Most of the above is more conversational info than anything.

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Of course, this is offset by the fact that most PDFs are significantly cheaper than their print counterparts. <snip>

QFT.

I don't mind "blowing" $3.95, $6.00, or even $9.95 on a PDF I think will be useful. I try to read reviews of stuff before I buy, but if all it costs me is 4 or so dollars, I'm happy to spend a few sheckels. Heck, if I don't like it, I'll keep it because hey you never know how my tastes may change or what will be going on in a few years. More pricier PDFs I'll tend to hem and haw and try harder to find reviews before I buy.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Yes, you can sell your pdfs like any other commodity. Why shouldn't you be able to?

As long as you don't keep a copy of the pdf, therefore making the one you sell the original, you're homefree. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. As much as certain pdf producers would like to have you think otherwise, electronic products do not enjoy (or suffer from, if you will) special exemptions from the generel right to resell your property.

This is one of the reasons I despise watermarking. They severely limit my choices as to what to do with my property.

 

[Bardsandsages]

First Sale Doctrine only applies to physical products. Even in the case of software, the First Sale Doctrine refers to the physical software package, not the information on the disc. Specifically, the wording is (from the U.S. Copyright site):

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106(3), the owner of a particular copy or phonorecord lawfully made under this title, or any person authorized by such owner, is entitled, without the authority of the copyright owner, to sell or otherwise dispose of the possession of that copy or phonorecord.

In order to sell something under First Sale Doctrine, you must possess it in a manner in which you can clearly transfer possession so that you know longer have it because you transfered ownership. With a PDF, you cannot transfer ownership of the PDF in such a manner that you no longer possess it through the act of selling it.